Green Talks about Immigration

Rep. Mark Green is the son of immigrants. He understands them and appreciates the important role they play and have played in America's history. Green also appreciates the rule of law so one way to honor legal immigrants is to be tough on those who flout our laws. He recently talked to a group of supporters about immigration.

More Fun at Drinking Right

Last night's Drinking Right was another good time at Papa's Social Club. I posted pics at Flickr. Enjoy.

iTunes Tax

New Jersey will become the next state to tax its citizen's downloads. Gov. Jim Doyle, who says he's never raised Wisconsin taxes, toyed with the idea last year. The Republican-controlled legislature stopped him. If he's re-elected expect him to try again to fund future big spending with an "iTunes tax."

"New Jersey's iTunes Tax"

Foley Money to Green Will Go to Charity

Mark Foley's sex scandal reaches Wisconsin. Foley's 1998 donation of $1000 to Mark Green will go to charity a Green spokesman said.

"Green to Donate $1,000 He Received from Embattled Congressman"

Say a Little Prayer

Tee Bee had to fly to California because her mother became ill. We're thinking about you here at TAM HQ.

Green Attacks Doyle on Illegal Immigrants

The ads are starting to roll out of the Mark Green campaign. His latest one hits Gov. Doyle hard on his special treatment for illegal immigrants.

WSJ Poll: Doyle's Lead Slims Tremendously

Zogby's poll for the Wall Street Journal, a combined online and phone poll, finds Gov. Jim Doyle with only a 1.3% lead over Rep. Mark Green.

And to really make the Wisconsin GOP ask themselves, "What if we actually found someone to challenge Sen. Herb Kohl?" the poll finds Kohl with only a 13.3% lead over Robert Gerald Lorge.

UPDATE: Even with this poll the overall average has Doyle with a 5% lead over Green. Doyle's numbers have started taking a nosedive.

Odd Poll in Governor's Race

Until I see corroborating numbers I'm discounting the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute's poll that has Gov. Doyle with a 5% lead over Rep. Mark Green. The overall spread seems right, but the poll says Green is leading in Democratic stronghold Milwaukee, and Doyle leads Green by 11% in Green Bay Green's backyard. If the numbers are accurate this will be one wild race with more unpredictabilities.

"Governor's Race Poll Contains Surprises"

More Mark Green Ads on YouTube

If you watch plenty of Wisconsin television you have probably already seen these two Mark Green ads. My tv watching amounts to sports and neither Green nor Doyle are buying ad time during Brewers games. So for those with similar viewing habits here's two good Green ads now on YouTube:

Mark Green really needs your help to make sure these ads get as much play as possible. Please donate to his campaign.

Joseph Sobran to Speak in Milwaukee Thursday

Last Saturday, James Widgerson posted on an up-coming speech by Joesph Sobran to the Wisconsin Forum. His speech will be about the "hijacking of conservatism." Sobran, once a paleo-conservative or paleo-libertarian now an anarchist, was forced to resign from National Review because of his unhealthy obsession with Israel and the role of Jews in American politics. In 1991, William F. Buckley wrote about how he attempted to keep Sobran from letting his obession harm his career and reputation.

From Sobran's own words about "Jewish power," the "wrath of Jewish advertisers," the "Jewish-Zionist powers that be in the United States," and his many uses of the pejorative "Zionist" (sounding like Palastinian propaganda) it's clear to me he has a dislike of Jews as a group. Ergo it's not a stretch to call Sobran an anti-Semite even though he was in awe of particular Jews like Murray Rothbard. What's also disturbing is his paranoia. Richard John Neuhaus quotes Sobran:

The older I get, the more I am impressed by this pervasive fear of the Jews-or rather, pervasive in some critical power centers, unfelt in other places. It is a huge factor, invisible and incalculable, in American culture and politics.

Sobran's obsession (one he denies) with Jews has no place in a conservatism where people are treated as individuals and not abstracted into ethnic groups with certain exceptions.

What should be done? What I can do is simply not attend the speech, and I encourage no one else to attend. Also, airing my opinion via this weblog is a constructive action. While the Wisconsin Forum has been around for decades and has an admirable committment "to speaking on behalf of the principles of liberty" I am very disappointed in their selection of Sobran. The organization's reputation has suffered in my eyes. Much work will be needed to be done to improve it.

Vice President Raises Big Bucks for Green and GOP

Vice President Dick Cheney came to Milwaukee to raise $150,000 for Mark Green and Wisconsin Republicans. That should help make up for losing in court to a Jim Doyle-appointed judge.

"Cheney Visits Milwaukee"

Mark Green Hits Back at Doyle

Many of us Mark Green supporters have been waiting for him to strike back at Jim Doyle's constant barrage of attack ads. With today's ruling against him in liberal Dane County by a Doyle-appointed judge he has to know the rules of the game are being rigged by his opponents. Now, Green has struck back. I hope this is just the beginning. The next ad should feature one Georgia Thompson who's going to federal prison for rigging a state travel contract toward a big Doyle contributor.

The Green campaign will move the questioned $467,844 into a separate account leaving Jim Doyle with that much more of a financial advantage. Please donate to Mark Green. Wisconsin doesn't deserve four more years of Doyle's ethical treachery.

More on Doyle's Rigging of the State Elections Board

There has been plenty of electrons spilled on the news that a Gov. Jim Doyle lawyer conspired with members of the State Elections Board to stick it to Rep. Mark Green. Patrick at Badger Blogger has an extensive round-up. So check him out for breadth. I'll highlight some thoughts I found interesting:

• Campaign finance uber-scholar and former FEC member Bradley Smith calls Michael Maistelman's actions "as unethical behavior as I have seen from a lawyer appearing before an administrative agency, or members of the agency itself."

• Jeff Wagner writes, "The attorney for the State Elections Board suggests that this contact was legal. Maybe, maybe not. The point though is that these e-mails provide pretty clear evidence that the process was fixed from the beginning. This wasn't a private citizen lobbying the Elections Board. It was the attorney for the patron of several appointees telling them how to vote."

• Rick Esenberg writes, "Of course, apart from the legality, this looks awful. Here's Maistelman carefully circumventing the open meetings laws and telling these intrepid seekers of truth what the "powers that be" had deemed acceptable. Here he is again telling them that they can tie Green up in the courts and make him look bad."
  

Bad Timing of Doyle's "Ethics" Ad

Ask Me Later's Cantankerous noticed Gov. Doyle's great timing. Yesterday, his campaign released a new ad [PDF] bashing Rep. Mark Green for keeping $468,000 in PAC donations that were legal until Doyle got his cronies on the State Elections Board to retroactively declare them illegal.

Doyle's Words vs. Facts

Badger Blogger's video sums up nicely the first Doyle-Green debate:

You could make two good commercials out of that. Nice work, Patrick.

Doyle's Lawyer Had Board Stick It to Green

We might as well toss aside the latest poll numbers. A new piece of data has entered the governor's race, and it's a doozy. Gov. Jim Doyle's campaign lawyer told Democratic members of the State Elections Board to retroactively declare some of Rep. Mark Green's PAC contribution illegal to stymie the Republican's campaign.

Attorney Michael S. Maistelman bluntly told Democratic Party members of the board he contacted why they should publicly sanction or punish the Green campaign, according to documents obtained by the Journal Sentinel under the state's open records law.

"Even if this ends up in Court it is a PR victory for us since it makes Green spend money and have to defend the use of his Washington DC dirty money," Maistelman said in a 9:31 a.m. e-mail one day before the vote. He sent the message to Carl Holborn and Kerry Dwyer, board members appointed by Democratic leaders of the Legislature.

Holborn, Dwyer and another Democratic appointee, Robert Kasieta, were part of a five-vote majority that gave Green's campaign 10 days to divest itself of $467,844 in donations from political action committees not registered in Wisconsin - an order the Green campaign will fight in a Dane County courtroom today.

Wisconsinites strongly feel people should play fair. We've learned again that Gov. Doyle doesn't care about fairness. He simply cares about winning re-election and advancing his liberal agenda. He trades state contracts for campaign contributions, lies about the state government's finances, labels his opponents as "extreme," over does it when talking about embryonic stem cells' medical potential, and now turns a bipartisan election board into a political weapon.

Wisconsin is at a point where serious people need to work together to solve the assortment of problems facing the state. With Rep. Mark Green we have a man who's laying out plans on education, taxes, and health care. With Gov. Doyle it's smear commercials and stacking the deck through cronies. Wisconsin deserves better than that.

"Doyle Lawyer Urged Sanction" [via Fraley's Daily Takes]

UPDATE: To read Michael Maistelman e-mails you can download them here [PDF]

Mark Green on Merit Pay for Teachers

Many teachers work very, very hard. They deserve their salaries and more. Rep. Mark Green agrees and wants merit pay for teachers.

Please make a donation to help Rep. Mark Green "make Wisconsin great again."

Ad War Intensifies

It's commercial time.

• Here's the Republican Governors Association bashing Gov. Doyle over Georgia Thompson's conviction in the Adelman Travel trial.

• Rep. Mark Green hammers Gov. Doyle on University of Wisconsin admissions.

• Gov. Doyle is touting his job creation record.
  

Mark Green on Health Savings Accounts

There are some (there always are) who will say, "There's no difference between the two candidates." Sometimes they're right, but on the issue of health savings accounts there is a big difference. Rep. Mark Green wants to make them deductible on Wisconsin taxes while Gov. Doyle has vetoed the legislation.

Green-Doyle Debate I

Friday night is the worst night to hold a political debate. It's the beginning of the weekend when people begin relaxing and doing things they want to do not the stuff they're told to do. People are going out, taking in one of Wisconsin's famous fish fries, or seeing a movie. News-wise it isn't good either. Saturday newspapers are the least read of the entire week. Why do you think Gov. Doyle vetoed so many bills on a Friday afternoon? A governor's debate on a Friday night makes little sense. So I saved my post-debate analysis until now when people are back into the swing of thinking about "serious" subjects like politics.

Rep. Mark Green understood the debate's timing and unleashed his assortment of sound bites as answers to questions from an audience put together by We the People/Wisconsin. (To spice it up they should have some webloggers take on the candidates.) Friday night's debate was on taxes and the economy. Green jumped on his anti-tax soapbox to tell the audience that "the problem in Wisconsin is we're over-taxed." When asked to rank his preference among various kinds of taxes he said, "I'm unable to say that any of them are too low. All of our taxes are too high." In every answer to a question Green mentioned taxes. He's banking on anti-tax sentiment and hoping enough people will vote on that issue.

For Gov. Doyle every other word out of his mouth was "education." He made the case that he worked very hard to write a budget that protected education and taxpayers. He attacked Green for Washington, D.C.'s fiscal irresponsibility saying, "They haven't made the hard choices in Washington. We have made the hard choices in Madison." He mentioned how previous governors led us to our current budget problems and how federal policies were harming Wisconsin job creation.

Green countered Doyle's budget acumen by pointing out how he borrowed from the transportation fund and other pools of state money to put the budget into balance. Yes, it's easy to claim you put together a balanced budget when: 1) it's required in the state constitution; and 2) you take money from other funds pushing spending cuts and/or tax increases into the future.

On the budget Doyle said that Green's plan to freeze taxes and spending would mean "deep cuts." But in politician-speak that means slowing the rate of growth, something Green stated he wanted to do.

One of Green's goals was to make himself the anti-tax candidate. He succeeded. Gov. Doyle was forced to talk about the taxes he did cut. Doyle's goal was to connect himself with education even if the second debate would focus on that topic. He talked about how we have "got to make sure we have decent schools." He said he has a "full commitment to education."

Throughout the debate Gov. Doyle appeared staid, fairly competent and, well, boring. But being boring doesn't necessarily hurt you when trying to get re-elected. However, near the end Gov. Doyle finally got irritated by Rep. Green constantly accusing him of not caring about high taxes. When talking about a tax freeze that he vetoed three times he said, "I've got to be the grown-up in this." Remember that. Gov. Doyle doesn't think you're serious and an adult if you think taxes should stop going up. Imagine what he thinks of people who want their taxes cut. We caught a glimpse of the real Jim Doyle.

Green hasn't gone after Gov. Doyle's ethical problems. That's the elephant in the room for the two debates. Because the debate organizers have the debates structured around topics--Friday's on taxes and the economy with the 10.22 debate on education and health care--it could be difficult for Green to ask Doyle tough questions about state contracts given to campaign contributors or to go back in time and remind voters the 2002 Doyle campaign kissed up mentally ill people with pastry and small cash prize bingo games or even about how his staff thought it would be a good idea to send a bad of used needles to State Assembly Speaker John Gard's office. He has to find a way to talk about improving the dignity of state government and its office holders. Gov. Doyle's record is an embarrassment to Wisconsin. Mark Green needs to make sure he's held accountable.

"Taxes and Economy Focus of First Guv Debate"

Rude Protesters Interrupt Doyle

I've noticed a lack of passion by right-wing voters in Southeast Wisconsin. I think many are still bummed Scott Walker is no longer running for governor.

So while the rude protest at Gov. Doyle's news conference yesterday was "dumb and counterproductive" (to steal from Charlie Sykes) it gives me some hope that Rep. Mark Green will win the election by finding a way to constructively use all that anti-Doyle energy pent up in Southeast Wisconsin.

"Protesters Disrupt Doyle News Conference"

Wisconsin Doesn't Ban Necrophilia

I bet you didn't know Wisconsin has no ban on necrophilia. That may change. The three Cassville kooks who thought digging up a body and having sex with it would be a fun way to pass the time had their sexual assault charge tossed out. It sort of makes sense in a sick, obscene way. It's hard to rape someone when they're dead. You're neither given nor denied consent. It sounds like a question on a law exam from the craziest law professor this side of [fill in the blank with a Leftist-dominated law school of your choice]. Me thinks whoever is sitting in the governor's office next year will be signing a necrophilia law. Just a hunch.

"Judge Nixes Attempted Sexual Assault Charges Against Accused Grave Robbers"

Bucher Slams Van Hollen in Defeat

When people run for office they put their hearts and souls into it. Hours upon hours are taken up giving speeches, knocking on doors, contemplating strategy, and raising money. Achieving victory must amount to an amazing high. Defeat must be worse than 50 punches to the gut. I can understand Paul Bucher being upset in his loss to J. B. Van Hollen. What he didn't need to do was lash out the way he did. In his concession speech he said,

We were right on the issues - you know it and I know it. We just ran short of money. And you know, that's disappointing that elections can be bought. And I wish J.B. well, but, you know, dumping that kind of money in the race in the last two weeks tells me Wisconsin's for sale.

I'm a tad insulted that Bucher thinks my vote can be bought. I didn't endorse Van Hollen because of a television commerical I didn't see--the guy isn't buying much ad time during Milwaukee Brewers' games. I endorsed him because he is right on the issues, is electable, and would do well as Attorney General.

Bucher was understandably frustrated. Thus I'll give him some slack and forget about his bashing of all those good people who went out in some awful weather to vote.

P.S. Did anyone at Van Hollen's party see where Brian Fraley passed out? Did he have a big grin on his face?

"Falk Tops Lautenschlager, Will Face Van Hollen"

Murtha Wins GOP Primary

Here's an oddity I found among the elections results. John Murtha won the GOP primary.

Ok, this John Murtha has nothing to do with the John Murtha wanting the U.S. to bail out of Iraq. The war probably didn't have any role in that state assembly race. Here's how Wisconsin's John Murtha responded to questions from a local newspaper:

What would your goals be if elected? What would be the main focuses of your term?

Goals: Reduce property tax, affordable health care for working families and good paying jobs for western Wisconsin.

I would focus on maintaining the quality of life in the St. Croix Valley, protecting seniors against excessive costs on prescription drugs and making this a good place to live, work and retire.

TAM Endorses J.B. Van Hollen

In a few hours the polls will close and the Wiscosin primary election season will end. The big race for me is who will be the Republican nominee for Attorney General. For Waukesha District Attorney Paul Bucher to be from the region I've seen tons of signs for former U.S. Attorney J.B. Van Hollen. That's an indication of some grassroots party support. Along with that Van Hollen has financial resources to run a formidible general election campaign. A negative is Van Hollen's habit of shooting from the hip and not better explaining himself. That's why his "terrorists in Wisconsin" quip is still following him.

Paul Bucher has been on hell of a prosecutor. His sense of justice has made him take on cases that lesser men would run away from. Think prosecuting former Packers fave Mark Chmura. But the Attorney General's office isn't about directly prosecuting criminals--unless your Peg Lautenschlager desparate for some good media.

As Daniel Suhr writes,

I think JB has the temperment and experience to serve as the state’s law enforcement leader. His service as U.S. Attorney has prepared him well for dealing with a range of cases (criminal, civil) and co-workers (sheriffs, DAs, FBI, etc).

On the issues both Bucher and Van Hollen both are solid conservatives who would change state Attorney General policy for the better. With both we would see an empahsis on traditional crime fighting. We would see the end to the philosophy of policy-making-by-lawsuit that began when Jim Doyle was in office.

To end the Democrats' reign of the Attorney General's office we need a capable, conservative candidate with the resources and temperment to win over voters across the state. I am voting for J.B. Van Hollen, and I hope you will too.

Doyle-Green Campaign Ad Wars

Rep. Mark Green is getting some good earned (free) media for his radio ad that plays off an old Budweiser commercial:

Gov. Doyle already has an ad blasting Green for his "illegal" campaign money, illegal only because Doyle flacks on the Elections Board retroactively declared some of Green's money illegal. Well, he took some video from a Madison television station. The out-of-context manner the Doyle campaign used the video ticked off the station:

The clip involving NBC 15 is taken out of context, because attribution used in the story was removed.

We want to make it clear, NBC 15 objects to the use of its newscast in the Doyle ad.

However, after contacting our attorney, we have determined that, because of fair use laws, we have no legal recourse to prevent the clip from our newscast from being used in the ad.

Green is going down the Russ Feingold path of cute, funny, memorable commercials that get caught in your head and force you to talk about them at the water cooler. Doyle is airing traditional campaign commercials that bash the opponent with news media quotes and clips. For now this gives Green the advantage. He still has to introduce himself to voters outside Green Bay and the Fox River Valley. He needs a good hook. However, he can't just be known as the candidate with the funny commercials. Voters want to elect a man who will be serious when in office (and I don't mean seriously paying off his campaign contributors). With his first commercials Green is setting the hook. Eventually he'll have to reel the voters in with more substance.

Mark Green's Money Machine

With the latest fundraising numbers available we know why Gov. Doyle had his flacks on the State Election Board pull a partisan, unfair, retroactive stunt on Rep. Mark Green. Green pulled in $1.39 million to Doyle's $494,000. According to Kevin Binversie Doyle's cash advantage is only $$327,380.

"Green Outraises Doyle Nearly 3 to 1"

State Elections Board Raps Green over PAC Money

Rep. Mark Green got rapped by a partisan vote on the state elections board and ordered to give up $468,000 in political action committee donations he transfered from his federal campaign account to that for his race for governor.

The Doyle campaign is using the board's decision to tar Green, making him look as sleazy as Gov. Doyle. State Democratic Party chairman Joe Wineke called the contested money "dirty." The fact is Green's PAC money was legal when initially raised and legal when moved into gubernatorial account. It only broke the rules when five Democratic board members along with one libertarian decided to stick it to Rep. Green.

Republican State Senator Mike Ellis, fervent critic of campaign finances and no fan to conservatives, said the board's decision was "partisan mischief." Ellis also said, "Every action that Mark Green took from raising the money to spending it, he took according to the laws that were in effect at the time. For the Elections Board to step in at the 11th hour and in a clearly partisan act say that the rules have suddenly changed – and in effect that they should be applied retroactively – is patently unfair."

If Rep. Green's money is illegal then when will Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett be asked to return the money he transfered from his federal campaign account to his 2002 gubernatorial campaign account? At least uber-partisan Bill Christofferson is consistent.

In a memo [PDF], George Dunst, legal counsel to the State Elections Board opined that since the legislature blocked enaction of the board's attempt to prevent Green from moving federal campaign funds into his gubernatorial account, "The effect of the suspension is that Congressman Green’s campaign had the right, in the absence of a countervailing rule, to spend all of its converted money until such time that the rule went into effect."

The Wisconsin State Journal editorial board decided the GOP-controlled State Assembly was to blame for Green's predicament:

The GOP-run state Senate overwhelmingly approved SB 1 last year. Authored by Sen. Mike Ellis, R-Neenah, the bill would have created a Government Ac countability Board with members who could not be political hacks. Law school deans or judges -- rather than politicians -- would have nominate fair-minded people to the board.

Mark Green expressed support for Ellis' bill. So did incumbent Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle.

The only people who didn't want to improve the Elections Board were the ever-so-partisan leaders of the state Assembly -- Speaker John Gard, R-Peshtigo, who is now running for Congress, and his sidekick Mike Huebsch, R-West Salem.

Spouting lame excuses, these guys killed SB 1 despite broad, bipartisan support. And that left the Elections Board as partisan as ever.

Chris at the Badger Blog Alliance is absolutely right that the governor's race is a "bar fight." Doyle could have told his cronies on the Elections Board to give Green a pass. He didn't which shows he's willing to use anything at his disposal to win re-election. Democrats on the board say they weren't told how to vote by Doyle. They didn't need to. They didn't get on the board to help Republicans. They're there to advance Democratic Party interests. Owen Robinson writes, "This ruling stinks like a corrupt political move by Doyle’s henchmen on the Elections Board to smear Green during the election."

We're almost at Labor Day when the summer unofficially ends and voters really start looking at the races and candidates. The Green campaign may fight the Election Board's ruling in court. If they do or don't Green will need money to fight all the cash Gov. Doyle and his interests will use to attack Green as "too extreme" for Wisconsin. Now's a great time to dig in your pockets and donate to Mark Green's campaign. Tell Gov. Doyle and his flacks on the Elections Board they can't stop Mark Green from getting his message out.

"Return Cash, Green Told"

Charlie's Show Prep #162

• Former State Department official Richard Armitage admits to being Robert Novak's source that Valerie Plame was a CIA officer. Can we please leave Scooter Libby alone and shut down Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation?

• The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board is tired of Andrés Manuel López Obrador's egotistical temper tantrum.

• Some of Air America's highest ratings this spring were in Madison. But that only means about 13,000 people are listening.

• Some Wisconsin farmers are experimenting by growing cigarette tobacco. Ironic since Jim Doyle as Attorney General who helped suck billions from the industry.

• The "evil" Wal-Mart wants to push 100 million florescent light bulbs onto the American public. This will really mess with the heads of anti-Wal-Mart Lefties. [via digg]

Van Hollen Crime Lab Ad

J.B. Van Hollen uses his lead in campaign funds to put out a new television ad that goes right after Peg Lautenschlager's state crime lab mess.

Dohnal Not Backing Down on Sullivan Double Voting Charge

Bob Dohnal, long-time conservative activist and publisher of the Wisconsin Conservative Digest, is not backing down from his charge that State Senate candidate Jim Sullivan double voted in a previous election. In a letter to the editor to a local newspaper that Dohnal e-mailed TAM he writes,

To the Editor,

Since my name was included in the story about the double voting of Jim
Sullivan, candidate for the state senate, I feel it is necessary for me to
explain my involvement.

When the allegations about Donovan Riley and his double voting came out
I called Stan Zurawski and Mike Goggins to refresh my memory about the
allegations concerning the double voting of Jim Sullivan several years back.

I still was extremely unhappy about the method used by Mr. Sullivan and
his agent to serve me a letter me about the double voting. I had never met
Mr. Sullivan and barely knew of the double voting controversy. I had only
met Mr. Goggins once.

One night in March my wife answered the door and mistakenly let this
person into the house. People, never do that. He asked my wife her name,
then spotted me sitting about 50 feet in my family room. He pushed past my
wife and then handed me this letter in a very threatening manner. He did
not leave until I stood up and ordered him out of my house.

The next day I tried to call Mr. Sullivan and his attorney. Neither
would take or return my call. Several days later I finally got through and
told both of them what I thought of their tactics and what would happen if
that ever happened again. The attorney uttered an expletive and Sullivan
hung up. Later I heard that the DA had dropped the case. No surprise there
as Mike McCann never prosecutes democrats.

Everyone also knew that Sullivan was just about to get his law license
and a felony conviction would void that. Behind the scenes I am sure that
the members of Progressive Milwaukee lobbied McCann to drop it. Why both
Sullivan and his father weren't required to swear about when or if they
voted is beyond me.

In reviewing the records it became plain that Sullivan double voted in
Tosa and Whitefish Bay in 9/98. The records are very clear. Now I
understand that he is claiming that Tosa records are wrong. He is claiming
that the Whitefish Bay records are wrong in 11/96. Two wrong records, doubt
it. Three people would have to make the same mistake at both polls in two
different years and he admits that his parents were out of the country
during the 9/98 time and that he was housesitting.

As an election official in West Allis and Wauwatosa for over a decade
I had never heard of anyone getting the check marks in the wrong place.
Those elderly people that everyone is insulting do a very good job. They
are not stupid as that article suggests.

When we reviewed the records I encouraged Stan to write a letter and I
would help distribute it. He did so and I then sent it out over the email
route.

On the Belling show Mr. Sullivan vowed to take a lie detector test to
prove his innocence. I challenge him to do so immediately, I will pay for
it as long it is a reliable, licensed polygraph operator that does work for
the FBI and the police on a regular basis.

Other wise he should resign the campaign.

Sincerely yours,

Bob and Jean Dohnal
Wauwatosa, Wi. 53226

Dohnal is continuing his fight even though Sullivan's attorney Michael F. Hart threatened legal action against Dohnal in the past:

The purpose of this letter is to place you on formal notice that any further communication whether written or oral including but not limited to, the dissemination and/or distribution of campaign literature claiming that Mr. Sullivan engaged in illegal or improper conduct with respect to his voting history, place of residency and/or compliance with State election laws will be deemed actionable as knowing misstatements of fact, and we will take any and all legal action on behalf of Mr. Sullivan to enforce his rights.

Doyle Getting Indian Money

I'm shocked, SHOCKED Indian tribes have been giving to Gov. Doyle. When you hand out juicy gaming compacts the tribes get what they pay for.

Rule #1 in campaign finance reform: If government didn't have so much power people wouldn't donate to enrich themselves.

"Doyle Re-Election Coffers Flow with Tribal Money"

Bucher-Van Hollen Tension Boils Over

There's a reason they invented e-mail. So participants in this conversation won't cringe when they re-read this conversation on a public weblog.

It seems the Bucher-Van Hollen aggitation is spreading from the two candidates. We've got spouses involved, supporters involved, even spouses of supporters (who are supporters themselves) involved.

Hey all, chill out--literally! It's the middle of August, and it's too warm. Everyone should grab a cold beer and relax.

As to the Bucher ad, John “Jay” Balchunas’ name is all over the newspapers. Him being murdered is a documented fact. Bucher mentioning it wasn't exploitation unless you call regurgitating the news "exploitation." Those who were griping need two beers to relax.

"Bucher Pulls Murdered Agent's Name from Ad"

Paul Bucher Radio Ad Jumps on Bolton Story

State Attorney General candidate Paul Bucher released a radio ad that takes advantage of news that a backlogged state criminal lab allowed a rapist to run free eventually killing a state Justice Department agent.

In 2006 a 15-year old girl was gang raped. Anthony Bolton later took the girl in his car, raped her, then dumped her half-naked in a park. July 9, 2004 the state crime lab received DNA evidence from the victim. From Bolton's DNA already on file from a previous drug conviction the crime lab finally connected Bolton to the rape in February 2005. That was almost four months after Agent John "Jay" Balchunas was murdered.

This news is damning to incumbent Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager. She runs the crime lab. The backlog of needed DNA testing is widely known. Now, we learn her mismanagement of the crime lab allowed a rapist to run free and kill a law officer.

So while the number of cases waiting on DNA testing at the state crime lab doubled between 2003 and 2005 Peg thinks it's important to do things like prosecute a murder case in Northwest Wisconsin and run off to Hollywood to be on Tyra Banks' show.

"DNA Test Late; Man Free to Kill"

[Ad via WisPolitics]

Sullivan's Supposed Double Vote

The drama behind Jim Sullivan's voting record continues. Bill Christofferson writes the accusation of Sullivan voting twice in 1996 is a pack of lies:

The charge is totally bogus, and was dismissed by the district attorney's office in 2000, when Sullivan was running for Wauwatosa alderman. (He won.)

Someone named Michael Goggins filed the complaint then, attaching the same voter lists that Zurawski is now circulating, purporting to show Sullivan voted twice.

The district attorney's office investigated and wrote Goggins on March 28. 2000 to say the office was closing the investigation and taking no action.

Why? The Whitefish Bay voter history list was unreliable, Assistant DA Kurt Benkley said.

You see, Wauwatosa Ald. Jim Sullivan, the one running for the State Senate, is James Sullivan, Jr. His father, you won't be surprised to learn, is James Sullivan, Sr.

Therein the confusion, and the conclusion by the DA that the confusion "renders Whitefish Bay voter history records as to James Sullivan, Jr. and James Sullivan, Sr. unreliable and valueless. (My emphasis.)

Jim McGuigan adds quotes from letters from E. Michael McCann's office. The most interesting being the one where Michael F. Hart wrote the District Attorney's office would legally defend Sullivan, Jr. if his opponents continued to use the voting accusation. Isn't that what Sullivan, Jr. should pay his lawyers to do? I think the District Attorney's office has better things to do (like lock up criminals) than be involved in political spats. [See update below.]

In Sullivan's case I can see where sloppy record keeping could be the source of the accusation. In the Whitefish Bay voter records it lists two James Sullivans living at 627 E. Carlisle Ave. One with a birthdate of 12.26.1967, the State Senate candidate, and one with a birthdate of 10.27.1936. The younger Sullivan is listed as voting in the general election on 11.05.1996. The older Sullivan is listed as voting in elections in 1998 and 1999. It's not outlandish to conceive Sullivan, Sr. going to vote in 1998 and giving his name to the poll worker only to have the wrong Sullivan marked off. What would be very interesting is if both Sullivans had voted.

To make things a little more interesting I received a forwarded e-mail from J.J. Blonien to Stan Zurawski, Sullivan, Jr.'s accuser. Blonien claims, "Jim Sullivan Sr. was not living in the home on Carlisle during November of 1996, and that candidate Sullivan was watching his parent’s home." Where was Sullivan, Sr.? How would Blonien know this? Who's going to find Jim Sullivan, Sr. and ask him where he was on the night of 11.05.1996?

I could care less about Tom Reynolds' political future. He's a strange man with strange views. I was all set to blast the hell out of him if he killed a school choice bill last March. I'm more interested is documenting voter fraud so laws can be changed to reduce it, and those who commit it are punished.

P.S. Christofferson and McGuigan don't understand the meaning of "lie." Neither man has any evidence Owen Robinson knew he was passing on a falsehood. If the accusation isn't true the worst that can be said is Owen didn't look into the story enough and ran too soon with it. McGuigan wanted to do a little smearing of his own, and decided to bash "right wing bloggers" plural. If he wanted to really do that he should have linked to more than one right wing weblog following the story.

UPDATE: Jay Bullock, A.K.A. Folkbum, corrects me. I incorrectly claimed Michael F. Hart was a part of E. Michael McCann's District Attorney's office. He's James Sullivan, Jr.'s lawyer. So it would make sense for him to legally defend Sullivan, Jr. against false accusations.

Green Ad on YouTube

I asked the campaign, and they delivered. Mark Green on YouTube.

State Senate Candidate and Double Voting

First the Spice Boys found State Senate candidate Donovan Riley double voted in 2000, once in Wisconsin and once in Illinois. Now, Owen Robinson received evidence from a reader that State Senate candidate James O. Sullivan might voted twice in a 09.98 election.

Are Democrate State Senate candidates so infatuated with voting they like to do it twice? And these are just two people who got caught. How many do you think get away with it each election?

P.S. Mayor Barrett, we found your vote fraud example. He's a member of your own political party. I eagerly await you to decry his illegality and ask him to end his campaign.

"The More You Vote, the Better You Feel"

"Pattern of Dems Double Voting"

Green's First TV Ad

Rep. Mark Green has finally joined the air wars with his first tv commercial. In it he goes right at the Doyle campaign's rhetoric that Green is "too extreme."

After watching the commerical the Doyle campaign sounds like a broken record.

Dare I say it's almost Feingoldian?

[via Boots & Sabers]

Eating at the State Fair

For me the whole purpose of the Wisconsin State Fair is food. For others it's their once-a-year chance to see cows, horses, chickens, and cute little bunnies. But since I grew up in a farm community I had my fill of the wonders of heifers soon into my second year of summer work on my uncle's farm. So the state fair for me is stuffing my face and wandering past the political booths.

One requirement is to have a pork chop sandwich.

The Wisconsin pork producers didn't let me down this year. The pork was juicy, tender, and had a touch of smoke from the port-o-pit BBQ. Some BBQ sauce makes up for the lack of fat. Emeril Lagasse is right, pork fat is soooo good. Most modern pork is more healthy but too lean.

My first experience with fried cheese curds was at the Minnesota State Fair. That's their trademark fair food. No fried cheddar goo for me since the line to this stand was too long.

What I will stand in line for are the world famous Wisconsin State Fair cream puffs. The line looked daunting, but it moved quickly. Within five minutes of getting into line I had my sloppy state fair tradition.

I would have liked to wash down my cream puff with some flavored milk, but the line at Sen. Herb Kohl's milk stand was too long. I'm pretty sure the line was bipartisan. Only the wacked-out vegan anarcho-syndicalists don't like a glass of milk for a quarter.

I won't forget to mention state fair politics. At the GOP booth it was your standard political party booth. Mark Green signs dominated with other candidates' signs playing supporting roles. At the Democratic Party booth I noticed Kathleen Falk had a great big sign with Peg Lautenschlager's sign hidden below it because it was much smaller. Should we take that as a signal of party feeling in the Attorney General's race?

One final bit of state fair politics involves the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment on November's ballot. Pflag Milwaukee bought some advertising in the expo hall.

Van Hollen Letter to Bucher

In an open letter to his opponent Waukesha District Attorney Paul Bucher GOP Attorney General candidate J.B. Van Hollen admits yesterday's radio debate was a disaster for both candidates. Van Hollen wants both of them to "stay united in our goal to restore focus and integrity to the office of attorney general." He wants the focus to be on what each GOP candidate can bring to the Attorney General's office instead of nit-picking about what each did or didn't do in their long law enforcement careers.

Here's the whole letter:

August 11, 2006

Paul Bucher c/o Bucher for Attorney General VIA EMAIL

Dear Paul, I think you and I can agree that yesterday’s debate did little to advance our shared goal of restoring responsible leadership to the office of the Attorney General. I know I did not appreciate being repeatedly spoken over, interrupted, and called "stupid," as I’m sure you did not appreciate my inappropriate use of the word "suck." I think its fair to say neither one of us should be proud of our performances. While we have some legitimate differences, we must stay united in our goal to restore focus and integrity to the office of attorney general. I write with the sincere hope that we can do that. We have now been together in more than 60 forums, almost all of which have allowed good, solid discussions of benefit to the voters. We will be together in several more forums and debates, including:

8/15/- Brookfield Rotary

8/15 . Marathon County forum

8/17 . Milwaukee Southwest Suburban GOP Picnic

8/27 . Dane Co. GOP Picnic

8/29 . Milwaukee County Bar Association Debate in Milwaukee

8/31 . WI Supplier & Development Council Debate in Madison

9/6 or 9/7 . Wis. Politics Debate

I propose some simple ground rules for our remaining joint forums and debates so that they can both be informative to the voters, and meet our shared goal of restoring effective leadership in the AG’s office. I propose the following for our remaining debates/formats:

1. We focus on why new leadership is needed in the AG’s office, and our own visions for what that leadership should be.

2. We agree to a fair allotment of times for exchanges, with no interruptions during the one another.s’ allotted times.

3. As we compare our respective experiences and backgrounds, we focus on what makes each of us prepared to fulfill the vision we are laying out for the office, not attacks on the preparedness of each other. We both have been in law enforcement for years, and there is plenty of good we can each say about our own varied experiences.

I hope you will join me in following these simple suggestions in our remaining discussions. I further hope our entire campaigns can be carried out in this spirit in these last days. I believe these suggestions will ultimately advance the issues we both care about, and most importantly help serve the interests of this great state. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

J.B. Van Hollen

Fellow Republican

Paid for by Van Hollen for Attorney General, Margaret Farrow, Treasurer www.vanhollenforag.com

Wisconsin Attorney General Debate

Staying up really, really late following the U.K. airline bombing story meant I slept through yesterday's Attorney General debate between Paul Bucher and J.B. Van Hollen. After listening to it (hey, Charlie get your podcast RSS feed fixed) I'm so glad Scott Walker and Mark Green aren't facing each other in September's primary. If Bucher and Van Hollen are any indication Walker and Green would have tore into each other but would have had more money so they'd do it with television and radio commercials. And Gov. Doyle would cruise to victory.

Despite both candidates saying they only disagreed with each other's management styles and issues you could feel the bad vibes between the two. That was capped by Van Hollen telling Bucher off-air that his management style "sucked." Van Hollen has apologized on his weblog saying, "I regret that I lowered myself to this level with my language choice." Bucher decided not to accept the apology.

Van Hollen has demonstrated he occasionally says wacky things. His "suck" remark goes right up there with saying earlier in the year, "We have in Wisconsin terrorists who are training and raising funds."

Bucher reinforced former governor Lee Dreyfus' endorsement that he would be a pugnacious Attorney General. Bucher verbally pushed Van Hollen on every question treating his opponent like a hostile witness. That's fine if you're a prosecutor in the courtroom, but not so good you're trying to impress voters you can run the state Justice Department.

Democrats Kathleen Falk and incumbent Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager haven't been as loud going after each other like Bucher and Van Hollen. Yesterday's debate won't hurt the GOP candidate that wins the September primary unless the animosity moves to their commercials. Then voters could have a bad taste for both Bucher and Van Hollen.

The debate wasn't as decisive as I hoped. Both Bucher and Van Hollen would make good conservative Attorneys General that would far surpass the Doyle-Lautenschlager regimes. I will take issue emphasis, character, and electability into consideration when handing out a TAM endorsement.

Here's some other blogospheric reaction:

• Boots & Sabers: "GOP AG Debate"
  
• Lakeshore Laments: "Thoughts on the AG Debate"
  
• Jeff Wagner: "GOP Candidates Need To Grow Up Quickly - Before A Golden Opportunity Slips Away"
  
• James Widgerson: "Paul's being mean to me. He sucks."
  

"GOP Candidates Come out Swinging"

Charlie's Show Prep #151

• That collective orgasm you heard is from the left side of the blogosphere over Ned Lamont's victory over Sen. Joe Lieberman.

• Rep. Cynthia McKinney lost again in her Democratic primary. Hopefully she calls it quits for Congressional politics.

• Joey at Wide White sees last night's election results as "anti-incumbent" which doesn't bode well for the GOP keeping both houses of Congress. However, Lamont winning will pump up the lefty, anti-war "netroots" which forces the Democrats to explain how they'll defend the nation from Islamist terrorists.

• The Presbyterian Church's (USA) publishing house will release a book claiming the "Bush administration planned the events of Sept. 11 so they could provide justification for going to war in Afghanistan and Iraq."

• Milwaukee's open-wheel car race returns to its traditional date one week after the Indianapolis 500.

Drinking Right Tonight

Working during the day + Drinking Right at Papa's Social Club tonight = few posts. :-(

Sorry, guys. You could always pick my brain after buying me a drink.

GOP Attorney General Debate Next Week

Next Thursday's Attorney General debate will be very important. I'll be making my endorsement soon after. Misters Bucher and Van Hollen, impress me.

"Van Hollen and Bucher to Debate"

Second-Annual State Fair Invasion Tomorrow

I invite all TAM readers to the Wisconsin State Fair tomorrow for the second-annual Badger Blog Alliance invasion. We'll be gathering at the microbrew tent starting at 12:30 and going until we've tried all 30 beers available at the tent or untl we've eaten too many cream puffs and cheese curds. There will be good talk, some laughs, and a few cameras for historical purposes. Hope to see you there.

UW-Madison Flexible Silicon Research

UW-Madison's research is more than just stem cells:

The same high-quality form of silicon that is used inside many new computers could soon be rolled up on a sheet of plastic. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, have shown that the type of high-speed silicon used for the past few years in Intel's microprocessors, called "strained" silicon, can be made thin enough to be transferred to a flexible substrate.

The ability to put sheets of strained-silicon transistors on malleable materials could lead to high-quality flexible displays and solar cells -- or eventually even to improved prosthetics, or computerized clothes, according to the researchers.

"High-Performance Flexible Silicon" [via Adam Smith Institute]

BBA Again Invades Wisconsin State Fair

From my BBA post:

The BBA invasion of State Fair will this Saturday Aug. 5 starting at the microbrew tent. I'll be there at 12:30 and will stay until 2:30-3:00 at the latest. This date and time are finalized, signed, sealed, and delivered. Only a Jim Doyle-size contribution will get me to change it. (I'm waiting, Potawatomi tribe.) However, if you ask me nicely I might show up on Aug. 12 because I might want a second day at the fair to see the exhibits.

To recap:

The invasion will simply be a meet-and-greet at the microbrew tent. We'll drink some of Wisconsin's finest malt beverages while putting faces to weblogs. Just stop by to say, "hi" or challenge one of us to a deep, philosophical debate on what pajamas work best for weblogging. As an incentive for webloggers and readers to show up I'll be giving away a prize for the most "interesting" food on a stick brought to the gathering. Don't worry, it won't be a cream puff.

There is also reports of wireless net access in the tent. However, I will mock those who bring a computer--unless it's one of those cool MacBooks. Cameras are more than welcome.

Wandering the Wisconsin Blogosphere

Brian Fraley is a youngin' when it comes to weblogging, but his "Weekly Takes" reminds me of old school weblogs back in 1999-2000 when it was more about linking than pontificating. He wanders the Wisconsin blogosphere and offers up some goodies.

Tommy Thompson Endorses Van Hollen, Bucher's Chances Severely Hurt

J.B. Van Hollen has been slowly and steadily getting endorsements from Republicans all over the state. Today, he got the biggest endorsement of them all: ex-governor Tommy Thompson:

“I am impressed with J.B. Van Hollen's track record and I'm not alone. Based on a record of excellence as a local prosecutor, the President appointed him U.S. Attorney,” said Thompson, the longest serving Governor in Wisconsin history. “We're lucky to have him running for attorney general and I'm confident J.B. will help get Wisconsin back in the right direction. I'm happy to endorse and support him.”

Van Hollen has tremendous momentum. From my perspective it's starting to look like an avalanche is about to bury Bucher. Thompson on Van Hollen's side will discourage GOP donors from giving to Bucher out of loyalty, trust, and a little bit of a herd mentality. With Bucher at a serious money disadvantage that will get worse he'll have to strongly confront Van Hollen on all sorts of issues and hope Van Hollen says something goofy like terrorists are running around Wisconsin.

"Van Hollen Campaign: Thompson Endorses Van Hollen for AG"

Allen-Edmonds Sold to Private Equity Firm

High-end shoe maker Allen-Edmonds was sold to a Minneapolis private equity firm for more than $100 million. No jobs are expected to be cut from the Port Washington, WI plant, nor will manufacturing move overseas. The firm, Goldner Hawn, wants to turn their purchase into a "$500 million brand."

"Allen-Edmonds Fits Private Equity"

Lorge Accused of Molestation

I have another reason to write in Casper for U.S. Senate.

"Civil Suit Accuses U.S. Senate Hopeful Lorge of Molesting Relative in 1986" [via Right off the Shore]

Charlie's Show Prep #135

• There's something about this Israeli-Arab conflict. Arab nations like Saudi Arabia chastised Hezbollah, and the G8 said in a statement, "These extremist elements and those that support them cannot be allowed to plunge the Middle East into chaos."

• Iran said it sees a proposal to stop their nuclear program as a place to being talks.

• Besides MySpace Facebook is a place where unthinking people could post material they might later regret.

• "Back to School" sales have started. Payless Shoes began on 07.06!

Charlie's Show Prep #134

• Hezbollah kidnaps two Israeli soldiers so Israel bombs the Beirut airport intensifying the Middle East situation. The Lebanese government didn't condemn Hezbollah's kidnapping.

• How will Congress and the Bush administration figure out how to deal with Islamist detainees in the wake of Hamdan? Defense Department lawyer Daniel Dell'Orto had some great words before a Senate committee:
  

  "I don't want a soldier when he kicks down a door in a hut in Afghanistan searching for Osama bin Laden to have to worry about . . . whether he's got to advise them of some rights before he takes a statement," Dell'Orto said. "I don't want him to have to worry about filling out some form that is going to support the chain of custody when he picks up a laptop computer that has the contact information for all manner of cells around the world, while he's still looking over his shoulder to see whether there's not an enemy coming in after him."

• The Russ Feingold for President campaign kisses up to Hurricane Katrina victims at The Huffington Post.

• Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department dispatcher Christian Hill's quick thinking saved a woman from completing a suicide attempt.

• Chicago's Olympic bid proposal has most of the events located in downtown Chicago. There goes the idea of a Midwest Olympics with Milwaukee having a role.

• Zinedine Zidane wants "forgiveness from all the children who watched" his World Cup head butt.

Campaign Oddities

Dennis York found an odd reference to Hannibal in Dan Aude's press release announcing his run for the 88th Assembly District seat:

When asked about the campaign he said, “ like Hannibal in the second Punic war with the Roman Empire, he too was out numbered in resources, but set a standard in battle tactics and strategy at Cannae” Aude was out spent by his incumbent opponent in 2004 by a ratio of 3 to 1.

“ This will be our battle cry for leadership in the 88th Assembly District in 2006, AUDE FOR 88 CANNAE!”

Aude will be wasting all his time telling his supporters how to pronounce "Cannae."

Next, we have Robert Gerald Lorge, the Republican the state party doesn't want to admit is running against Sen. Herb Kohl. Jessica McBride is the only one who's giving him any credence:

And he's at least in the ring. Conervatives have had a lot of Don Quijote pretenders, but he's the real thing. Tilting at windmills, yes, but he makes more sense on the issues than Herb Kohl does.

Class President, St. Mary's Catholic Grade School 1973

Then there's the Lorge RV or the "Lorgemobile" in these parts.

Bush’s invasion and occupation of Afghanistan was primarily to get access to build an oil pipeline from Uzbekistan to a warm water port near Karachi, Pakistan (the same reason the Russians invaded in the 1980’s). This project had been delayed for many years but was suddenly approved in Dec-01.

It looks like I'll be writing in Fred.

Charlie's Show Prep #133

• Robert Novak talks about Valarie Plame and Karl Rove.

• John Dean talks about a "largely unknown 50 year academic study" claiming are "more likely to follow authoritarian leaders."

• Patrick McIlheran points out what Venezuela is sacrificing for giving Milwaukee cheap oil and free eye surgeries.

• The U.S. and Russia are close to a deal to bring Russia into the WTO.

Drinking Right

I missed the All-Star Game just so I could drink right with some fellow webloggers. Elliot, Casper, Cantakerous, Phelony, Josh, Nick, and Aaron (and others who I didn't yap with) were there. If you weren't too bad. Your loss. You missed out on synchonized phone cam picture taking and nail pounding (it's German so it's cool). You can make up for you shame by marking your calendar for the second Tuesday of August for the next episode of Drinking Right.

Grothman Not Running Against Kohl

Sen. Herb Kohl will be running virtually unopposed--Robert Gerald Lorge and the Green Party candidate don't count. State Senator Glenn Grothman had enough signatures but didn't have the heart to throw in his hat at the very last moment:

State Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) gathered enough signatures to run against Democratic U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl but opted not to file them today, meaning Kohl will have no significant opposition in November.

About 3,000 people signed nomination papers for Grothman, well over the 2,000 needed to get on the ballot. But Grothman said he did not believe he had a strong enough organization in place to mount a challenged against the millionaire owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Republicans had hoped to get a serious contender to take on Kohl, and turned to Grothman in recent weeks after former Gov. Tommy G. Thompson said he would not jump in the race.

Nomination papers for fall races are due today.

No, blame goes to the state GOP and Tommy Thompson. The state party failed to get anyone to run so they waited and hoped Tommy would want to stroke his ego one more time in a state-wide race. I give the party a great, big "F." I'm hoping party chairman Rich Graber gets his Bush administration job soon. He's not useful to Wisconsin Republicans.

To those who thought no one should run against Kohl, you better hope Rep. Mark Green beats Gov. Doyle--that's the big reason you didn't want Grothman to run. Because if Doyle wins I'll be rubbing your silly political strategy in your faces.

"Grothman Won't Run Against Kohl"

Charlie's Show Prep #132

• We will finally see a Presidental veto when the Senate passes a bill to expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

• Eugene Kane can't come out and say Kevin Barrett is a wacko. As he puts it, "I support the right of any teacher to conduct his class as he feels fit, within university standards." I wonder if Kane would think teaching eugenics as something good would be "within university standards."

• With WPS buying Peoples Energy Wisconsin will lose another corporate headquarters.

• The House of Representatives will vote on a bill to outlaw internet gambling--except for horse racing. Barbaro should be happy.

• Tobacco use is "predicted to kill a billion people this century." This will embolden those in favor of an ever-bigger Nanny State.

• French soccer player Zinedine Zidane was called a "son of a terrorist whore" before he headbutted an Italian player in the World Cup final.

Grothman Now Undecided; Wait for the Signatures

State Senator Glenn Grothman is not looking like the most decisive person in Wisconsin. This weekend running against Sen. Herb Kohl was a "go." Now, he's not so sure. I'm going with Owen Robinson's theory about needing enough signatures. He writes,

After all, it would be pretty humiliating to announce a run for Senate on Saturday just to have to drop out on Tuesday for lack of nomination signatures.

Charlie's Show Prep #131

• A terrorist plotter who had "had maps and bomb plans on his computer when he was arrested" studied in Canada and may have been recruited into al Qaeda while there.

• The growing economy is bringing in surprisingly higher revenues which is lowering the budget deficit. Of course if President Bush wouldn't have signed large spending increases from a Republican Congress the deficit would be even lower.

• India test-fired a missile of its own. Like North Korea it did do much.

• Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro has been enduring more surgeries and infections. With all the efforts made for him his owners must expect him to make a boatload of cash as a stud.

Grothman Needs Signatures

This evening I got an e-mail with a Glenn Grothman nomination paper attached. It seems Glenn doesn't have the 2000 signatures needed to get on the ballot, and he's got until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 07.11 to get them. So there's still a possibility Sen. Kohl will run unopposed. When I hear word he's running I assume he's running and not still trying to get on the ballot. It would have been nice if Grothman would have decided to run before Independence Day when volunteers could have swarmed local parades and picnics. Here's keeping my fingers crossed he can get the signatures in time. If anyone wants the form to help collect signatures e-mail me or leave me a comment and I send it off to you.

Grothman to Challenge Kohl

My state senator Glenn Grothman will take on Sen. Herb Kohl for the U.S. Senate.

I'm glad Grothman is running. I just hope he's realistic in his chances of winning. I also hope he squeezed something out of the state GOP for being their sacrificial lamb.

Grothman in the race will do nothing to affect the GOP's chances of re-taking the governor's office or Attorney General's office. If having too many GOP candidates is a detriment we should be demanding Bucher or Van Hollen step aside and end the intra-party battle to focus completely on beating Peg Lautenschlager. A few lawn signs and bumper stickers and maybe even a television ad or two won't hurt Mark Green, J.B. Van Hollen, or Paul Bucher. It won't help either. It's a wash. No GOP candidate will win or lose because of Glenn Grothman.

This will be the fun campaign. With little chance of winning Grothman can say and do things that a more competitive candidate wouldn't for fear of losing. You can get pretty creative when you have nothing to lose. While Grothman will have to publically say he thinks he can win his real goal better be just to punch a few holes in Sen. Kohl's reputation and show his fellow Republicans they shouldn't be afraid of him.

[Cross-posted at the BBA.]

Charlie's Show Prep #130

• Gov. Doyle isn't dumb enough to allow his government to ban ducky derby fundraisers. While technically illegal they'll be allowed to continue.

• With North Korea's missile launches there's pressure on Boeing to deliver an effective missile defense system.

• President Bill Clinton was asked about Robert Kennedy's theory that the 2004 Presidential election was stolen and said there was a "a compelling case." [via digg]

• In the aftermath of the "cancellation call heard round the world," an AOL executive sent out some rah-rah memos to the Member Service peons--I mean employees. Notice they've been "experiencing more challenges" from customers promising to record the phone conversations. With a possible move away from subscribers and the people needed to retain them AOL may never have such an embarassment again.

Charlie's Show Prep #129

• The American Specator reports government officials told NY Times and LA Times reporters their Swift stories "presented risks for three ongoing terrorism financing investigations."

• Rick Esenberg has a great op-ed on who's to blame for Milwaukee County's financial troubles and who's playing the "role of grown-up."

• Pepsi tipped the FBI and their biggest competitor that Coca-Cola employee's were trying to sell trade secrets.

• "Skull and crossbones are really hot." But does anyone want a "Ralph Lauren skull and crossbones belt," a $19,385 Dior diamond-encrusted skull pendant, or "skull-decorated dinner plates?"

Charlie's Show Prep #128

• North Korea is missile happy, launching seven yesterday.

• Some California (where else?) bozos celebrated July 4 with the "2nd Annual Old Time American Flag Burn."

• Parades and politics go hand in hand except in Brookfield.

• Not only does the deep tunnel not stop the dumping into Lake Michigan but a lawsuit claims it's sinking downtown buildings.

• New Jersey government is still shut down despite a July 4 special legislative session. It's Democrat versus Democrat over a tax increase.

Milwaukee Fireworks On...for Now

With possible thunderstorms tonight U.S. Bank will wait until the last possible moment to decide whether to cancel the fireworks display along Milwaukee's lakeshore. The National Weather Service forcast reads, "A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4am." They've also issued a severe thunderstorm watch for much of Southeastern Wisconsin. I'm betting on a rain out.

McGee/Jackson Keeping Name

Michael McGee/Jackson now doesn't want to change his name:

Online court records for the case show an entry from Thursday that states: "Court received call from petitioner advising that he will not be pursuing the petition for name change and will be submitting a letter to this effect." A hearing on the request is set for next week but could be canceled if the matter is dropped.

In the original court papers, McGee, 36, stated that he had always been Michael Imanu Jackson, but that the McGee name is on his driver's license, Social Security card and other forms of identification.

"McGee Doesn't Want Name Change After All"

Charlie's Show Prep #127

• The Hamdan decision makes terrorist trials an issue for November's elections. Karl Rove is jumping for joy.

• Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is giddy about the Hamdan ruling. "Today's Supreme Court decision reaffirms the American ideal that all are entitled to the basic guarantees of our justice system." That includes a member of al Qaeda, a group that doesn't abide by the Geneva Convention or the laws of war. [via Wizbang]

• From the Obvious File: A poll shows Wisconsinites have less faith in government officals than in the past.

• The House of Representatives voted to end an offshore drilling ban. [via Boots & Sabers]

• New York City has its final design for the Freedom Tower. Not bad.

Charlie's Show Prep #126

• All is not horrible for Wisconsin's business climate. Direct Supply will build a new headquarters in Milwaukee with hopes of having 2000 people working there in ten years. Green Bay is getting a UnitedHealth call center employing 1000 more people. Stark Investments is opening a new office in downtown Milwaukee. [Jay owes me a nickel.]

• The BloodCenter needs donations to relieve the blood shortage. If you're not afraid of needles like I am consider donating.

• KISS opened its first coffee shop.

Xoff Playing Race Card

Bill Christofferson complains that Rep. Mark Green's supporters are too white. Would he feel better if I started going blackface? In his "superficial racist" world the color of one's skin is more important than one's character and ideas.

[via Boots & Sabers]

Charlie's Show Prep #125

• The Supreme Court struck down a Vermont campaign finance law making their approach to it even more convoluted.

• Iraqi oil production is as high as it's been since the U.S. invasion. Expect media and Bush bashers to ignore or pooh-pooh this. [via digg]

• A poll found most Wisconsinites don't favor the UW System's plan for "holistic admissions."

• In Appleton you're charged a $50 fee for being warned when your grass is too long.

• President Bush's push for the line-item veto is seen as the administration finally getting serious about runaway spending.

• A minor league manager went nuts after getting ejected.

UPDATE: Some goofy schools have banned tag and touch football at recess in fear of kids getting hurt.

Wisconsin by Steam Train

Stephen Karlson relived the old days of steam trains with a trip from Milwaukee to Wisconsin Dells and gives us some pictures.

Charlie's Show Prep #124

• Rep. Peter King calls the NY Times "treasonous" for publicizing terrorist surveillance methods.

• General Senator Feingold thinks he knows the public's will on Iraq more than most Senators. That's why his troop deadline went down in flames. He probably devined his view from his listening session--I mean Lefty pep rallies.

• Warren Buffett will give Bill Gates $30.7 billion to give away.

• And the big story from Sunday's paper: Marc Marotta is more involved in state bidding than he's let on.

Marotta Involved with Another Bidding Process

Marc Marotta, Gov. Doyle's former Administration Secretary and now campaign chairman, is alleged to have interfered in another state bidding contract. Spivak & Bice, who are much better investigative reporters than webloggers, have the details:

But an irate vendor, using newly discovered e-mails, is arguing in an Ozaukee County lawsuit that the long arm of Marotta reached into the bidding process for a $55 million-plus building deal awarded by the state in 2004, kicking it to a competitor.

Prism, a three-member partnership that bid on the deal, is pulling no punches in the allegation it is leveling against Gov. Jim Doyle's administration and Marotta, who left the governor's cabinet last year and is now his campaign chairman.

"The State simply opted for a Mulligan, or do-over, when the winner, Prism, was not politically popular with the person who made the key decision," Prism argues in court documents filed last week. "Such is exactly the behavior which the statutes and regulations are intended to bar."

Elsewhere in the filing, Prism charges: "It was Marc J. Marotta . . . who made the improper decision to abandon the selection of Prism."

"Committee discussions indicate that one developer is significantly 'better' than the others," wrote Andrew Richards, finance director for UWM to Peter Maternowski, a staffer in Marotta's agency.

Richards continued, "If for some reason the Secretary's choice is another developer, I would expect that you would contact the team immediately as there would be a very large need for additional dialogue."

Since this is the Doyle administration campaign contributions are involved:

Not mentioned in the suit are campaign finance records that show execs from the eventual winning group - which didn't even compete in Round 1 of the bidding process - contributed $51,000 to Doyle's campaign, including $13,000 in the two months after the pact was awarded and $1,000 days before the final vote.

By contrast, the folks with Prism donated no money to the Democratic governor.

There's no need for Rep. Mark Green to run negative ads when the the MSM does it's job and publicizes the Doyle administration's misdeeds. At this rate Team Doyle will have to start launching nuclear shots at Green just to frustrate voters. A Doyle spokesman told the Spice Boys, "Mark Green has spent his career behind a desk exchanging votes for special-interest campaign cash." The mud will be flying soon. Team Doyle can't continue to keep taking these hits in isolation.

"Marotta Intervened in UWM Project Bidding Process, Lawsuit Contends"

Wisconsin Artist Win National Art Award

There's hope for the art world. David Lenz won the first National Portrait Gallery portrait competition for his photo-like painting of his son in a field.

"In a Father's Experience, Perfection"

DPW: Gard Trying to "Trick" Voters

When there isn't any real news in an election it's the job of a campaign to snipe at their opponent. That's what Joe Wineke did to day in a press release attacking State Assembly Speaker John Gard:

But the families of the 8th Congressional District aren’t fooled by John Gard’s efforts to hide the fact that he lived in the suburbs of Madison until just a few months ago. While he supposedly “represented” Peshtigo in the state Legislature, Gard and his family lived in a home he bought in Sun Prairie in 1999.

Gard is obviously trying to cover up just how out-of-touch he is with the families of the 8th Congressional District, with ads that attempt to pass him off as a Northeastern Wisconsin farm boy, said Joe Wineke, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Gard can change addresses, but he can’t change an out-of-touch record that doesn’t represent the priorities of Northeast Wisconsin.

"Dems Call Gard's Farm Ad a Trick"

Charlie's Show Prep #123

• Gov. Doyle leads Rep. Mark Green 49-37%. But among people who actually have an opinion of both men Green whups Doyle 52-42%.

• Vice President Cheney doesn't seen the need for a pre-emptive strike on North Korea.

• The state hopes to have a tiny, tiny $10.3 million budget surplus by next week.

• The president of the WIAA asks a great question: Should schools be in the athletic business?

Child Support Problems

Semi-old news is still juicy news. It seems a certain popular conservative state legislator is in a tiff with an ex-girlfriend over child support:

Rep. Frank Lasee (R-2nd) has asked to reduce the child support payments he must make for a child of his born out of wedlock to a DePere woman. A friend of the mother of Lasee's child called www.milwaukeeworld.com, with the permission of the mother, to discuss the matter. She said Lasee wrote to the mother saying that child support payments were too onerous for his modest legislative salary, to which the mother replied that the payments barely covered day care for the infant. Lasee also has not seen the child in five months, according to the caller. While the mother would like the Green Bay Republican to be a part of her child's life, Lasee, she says, is unwilling to make a commitment of his time for such a purpose. "It would take too much time and effort," he said, according to the caller.

Charlie's Show Prep #122

• General Sen. Feingold sees the Iraq War as "fruitless."

• Washington County board members reject asking voters if a half-cent sales tax should continue. It should no longer be called a "conservative" county.

• Israel joins the Red Cross when the humanitarian organization allows the use the "red crystal."

• 80-year-old Bill Wambach will try to break the national high jump record. Here's hoping he doesn't break his hip.

• The South Park duo is working on a Mormon musical. [via Netscape]

Charlie's Show Prep #121

• General Sen. Feingold's plan to ditch Iraq in 2007 isn't playing well with fellow Democratic Senators. Sen. Kohl doesn't back his collegue.

• Midwest Fiber Networks has failed to do anything to cover Milwaukee in wi-fi. The Common Council voted to open up the project to other companies.

• Technology has changed a younger generation's mores and social behaviors. Informality and individualism are the thing.

• Dwyane Wade gets his first NBA title in only his third professional season. And I thought his triple-double against Kentucky in 2003.
  

Local School Needs Help After Tornado

I'm quoting this letter to Charlie Sykes in its entirety:

Hi Charlie,

I am hoping you could help us out at Sycamore Tree Christian Daycare in Hartford. Sycamore Tree is next to and in the Lincoln School in Hartford, which as you know, has lost its roof. The daycare has lost its playground worth approximately $18,000. Also, as I stated the daycare had a site in the cafeteria at Lincoln School for the "school age" children, during the Summer and before and after school during the school year. They have lost all their games, books and puzzles due to asbestos contamination. Is it possible to announce that they are looking for these items for children 6-12 yrs old and possibly cash donations to replace their playground for the little children at the daycare site?

If you have any questions I may be reached at 414-507-3302 or the directors of the daycare are Becky and Amy 262-673-0161.

Thank you

Lisa Sutrick

Charlie's Show Prep #120

• General Sen. Feingold wants troops out of Iraq by 07.01.2007.

• The National Guard has been sent into New Orleans to fight a crime spree.

• A horde of historical documents, including a check made out by Abraham Lincoln, have been found in the vault of a Washington, D.C. bank.

Nobody's Running Against Kohl

Tommy Thompson won't run against Sen. Herb Kohl. Tim Michels, who ran against Sen. Russ Feingold in 2004 won't run. State Sen. Glenn Grothman shouldn't run because it would be a waste of his time unless he really, really wants to travel the state for a lost cause. So the GOP will just have to be satisfied with fruitcake Robert Gerald Lorge (while ignoring him) and focus, focus, focus on electing Rep. Mark Green as governor.

Charlie's Show Prep #119

• Wisconsin Career Academy is giving away gift cards to students based on GPA. Milwauke School Board member Jeff Spence said, "Poor kids or students from challenging backgrounds need not apply. That's troubling." He assumes poor kids are stupid and incapable of high GPAs.

• People are complaining about possible pool closing. Blame Tom Ament.

• President Bush's tough talk is just what's needed to challenge Islamist honor culture.

• The chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court is suing a newspaper and columnist for defamation.

• In Colorado girls need only be 12 and boys only 14 to enter into common-law marriages.

UPDATE: Brian Fraley can use these too since he'll be filling in for Jay Weber on WISN tomorrow morning.

Tornado Touchdown in Hartford

This

"Tornado Roars Through Hartford"

Troubles at the Sheperd-Express

Conservatives don't take the Shepherd-Express seriously because of its outrageous content. Lefties won't like it for the way some of it's former writers claims they treated employees.

Who's going to read that rag other than those lonely men who need a new 1-900 number?

"Dave Berkman Calls out a Liberal Hypocrite"

Can't Afford Free Pool Admissions

Milwaukee County is under financial crisis. So what does the parks department do? Offer free admission to some of their swimming pools:

To mark their season opening today, Milwaukee County's pools will let kids 11 and under into all pool facilities other than the Cool Waters complex free of charge.

"Feel Like Smacking Yourself in the Head?"

Not Cut Out for Weblogging

Some people need editors. They can't simply pump out some words and put them out for the world to see without looking foolish. Spivak & Bice are two of them. Their sad excuse for a weblog hits a new low when they mistake the National Journal for National Review not once, not twice, but three times. Three times isn't a charm for these two. They must not get out much onto the big, bad internet. National Journal covers Washington, D.C. with a fine tooth comb with a nonpartisan approach while National Review is the flagship publication of the modern conservative movement. It's the subscription-only Hotline political tipsheet versus NRO's The Corner which is free but asking for donations. That should be enough help for the Spice Boys.

"Endangered Politicos' List"

UPDATE: I should have taken a screen shot. The post has been updated without any mention of a correction. I don't think that's how things operate with the dead tree addition.

Charlie's Show Prep #118

• Bill Gates is leaving Microsoft in two years. Start selling the stock.

• The EU will give itself until 2008 to figure out their constitutional problems. Here's hoping they don't find a solution.

• Ann Coulter: bomb thrower and plagerist. [via Poliblogger]

• A hot new children's clothes line is Pimpfants.

Charlie's Show Prep #117

• Sen. Joe Lieberman is taking so much flack from Lefties he might run as an independent.

• This is how screwed up Palestine is: the foreign minister came from abroad with $20 million in his suitcase to pay the bills.

• The thin-skinned Iranians have banned The Economist for not properly labeling the Persian Gulf.

• When it comes to capital punishment China is moving away from firing squads to mobile "death vans."

• CBS News has had enough of Dan Rather.

Charlie's Show Prep #116

• Gov. Doyle is still keeping the Adelman campaign contributions even though the Ricardo Pimentel and the gang think otherwise.

• Unions stacked a MATC hearing so no one complained about the school's 5% tax levy increase.

• Sen. Hillary Clinton heard some boos at a Lefty conference for her Iraq War stance.

• President Bush's new domestic policy adviser Karl Zinsmeister pulls no punches. He's made a recent foolish mistake but such an anti-Washington perspective is so refreshing.

Juror Speaks on Thompson Trial

Jessica McBride interviewed Marvin Bizzelle one of the jurors in the Georgia Thompson case. It is quite a look into one man's perception of Gov. Doyle's administration. He completely discounts the Democratic Party's talking points which claim that Thompson was a "lone gunman" acting alone.

The juror said that all of the jurors agreed that people above Georgia Thompson were involved in the scheme.

"Yes, there was no doubt about that. Someone above her was involved in it, but they know how to keep their hands out of it so they don't get charged with it," he said. "We all felt there was pressure. It was her job to resist that."

Asked if he believed that Gov. Jim Doyle and former DOA Secretary Marc Marotta were involved in the scheme, Bizzelle said "yes." He said that, "There was testimony brought out that Marotta had talked with Adelman a couple of times and the governor went to a party. You know, money runs through politics. "

Asked specifically if he believed that Doyle was involved, Bizzelle stated: "He wasn't clean, there was no doubt about that. There were insinuations. He had to know something." But he said he believed "Doyle kept his hands clean."

He said, "Well, let's put it like this. You know about political pressure. These people are donating to me, so they are my buddies. I am not saying that's what happened. It's a good example of indirect pressure. "

Asked if he thought that the campaign contributions played a role in Thompson's actions, he replied, "yes."

[H]is comments do present a revealing contrast with Doyle's extensive interview with the media, in which the governor stated that Thompson acted alone and higher ups had nothing to do with it. This juror listened to all of the evidence and he drew the conclusions you see above.

The great thing about this for Congressman Green's campaign is they don't have to do a thing. They can simply talk to voters and let Doyle hang out in the wind without them running a single negative ad. Doyle is taking hits, but they don't have to pay a penny.

That's not to say the election is over. We have five months to Election Day. There's no telling what counter-attack Doyle with think up or what events and issues will come up. We know Doyle took a hard hit to the gut.

"My Interview Tonight with Travelgate Juror Marvin Bizzelle: 'We all felt there was pressure'"

Send Xoff a Case of Rolaids

Bill Christofferson isn't in a good mood post-Georgia Thompson verdict. He calls all us right-wingers "neocons" (funny, I didn't know I was Jewish). Then he goes on to yammer:

I can imagine the well-reasoned responses to this post already: "Doyle flack!" "Apologist!" "Water carrier!" And worse. Have at it. So's your old lady.

"FAQ in the Georgia Thompson Case"

Charlie's Show Prep #115

Georgia Thompson's conviction will take up most of the show, but here are a few items should Charlie need a little change of pace:

• With the hype over Ann Coulter what will happen when Markos "DailyKos" Moulitsas' words get mainstream coverage?

• The president of the UAW had to explain why the union is shrinking and what should be done about it.

• The new thing involving kids and drugs: "pharm parties."

Thompson Convicted

Georgia Thompson was found guilty of fraud in driving a state travel contract to a political donor of Gov. Jim Doyle. The prosecution didn't attempt to prove a pay-for-play scheme involving minions of Doyle or the governor himself. They argued "Adelman Travel would not have gotten the contract if Thompson had not illegally inflated the firm's scores." Witnesses said Thompson wasn't happy when Omega World, a competitor to Adelman, got a higher initial score. Travel consultant Ian Thomas testified Thompson told him she didn't know "how I'm going to tell my bosses it's not Adelman." If Thompson's job and future didn't depend on who got the travel contract why did she fight so hard for Adelman? Why did she tell Bridget Nettesheim, a member of the committee, "It wouldn't fly. Politically it wasn't what needed to happen?"

Let me speculate that Thompson isn't that smart when it comes to political intrigue. She did give a few witnesses the impression something was up. Committee member Frank Kooistra testified he thought Thompson liked the "best and final offer" idea because she wanted the committee "to select Adelman as the agency of choice." She might have thought she could survive a trial instead of rolling over. The prosecution got its conviction. Now, they will use sentencing as a lever to get Thompson to talk. What she divulges, if anything, could decide the governor's race.

Federal prosecutor Steven Biskupic is the least political prosecutor I've seen in a while. He said the case was about "Georgia Thompson and Georgia Thompson alone." He also said, "I don't want people to read too much into it, other than we are trying to be careful in what we do." Biskupic is a man who could have led a highly-partisan investigation into Milwaukee voter fraud using it as a weapon in Republicans' favor. Obviously he's a Republican and/or conservative (federal prosecutors are political appointments) but his demeanor is reserved. I see the federal bench in his future.

As for Gov. Doyle's future, that's murkier. What is with the calls from former Department of Administration Secretary Marc Marotta's office and Adelman during the "best and final" offer phase of the bidding? The current chairman of Gov. Doyle's campaign hasn't offered an explanation. Doyle won't surrender campaign contributions from Adelman executives because "Georgia Thompson acted on her own and that no other state employee was involved."

Now for some blogosphere reaction:

• No Runny Eggs: "Nice knowing you, Craps."
  
• Chris at the Badger Blog Alliance: "Will Georgia Thompson be Jim Doyles Henry Hill? As others have stated she is a 56 year old woman looking at doing 20 years of Federal Time."
  
• Owen Robinson: "The investigation and the charges showed that Thompson violated the law by rigging the bid process. Nobody ever explained why. That’s the elephant in the room that Doyle wants everyone to ignore."
  

"Official Convicted in Travel Deal"

Intruder's Unique Choice of Weapons

How would you like to wake up to this:

Leisa K. Reed, 47, was charged with two felonies, armed burglary and second degree recklessly endangering safety and four misdemeanors, battery, intentionally mistreat an animal, resisting an officer and bail jumping.

A Waukesha couple woke up about 4:40 a.m. Sunday when their small dog was barking in the kitchen. The female homeowner found the stranger in her kitchen, swinging the pooper scooper, threatening to kill them and kicking the dog, Capt. Mike Babe said.

The female homeowner screamed and her husband then came into the kitchen.

Reed is accused of striking the man in the head with the pooper scooper. He knocked it out of her hand and then noticed she had scissors.

The man struggled with the woman while his wife called police.

"Charges in Pooper Scooper Attack"

Charlie's Show Prep #114

• Businesses are failing to find skilled workers. It will only get worse as retirements increase demand.

• Humvees with armor upgrades may be doing more harm than good.

• Fidel Castro called the airstrike on Zarqawi a "barbarity."

• The American Medical Association wants to expand the Nanny State by calling for a soda tax.

Charlie's Show Prep #113

• A report says Wisconsin has enough power plants and transmission lines. I'll wait until the first heatwave to confirm that.

• The wonderfully undiplomatic John Bolton took on a U.N. official who insulted Middle America.

• Terrorists are dropping like flies. Israel wacked a Hamas thug.

• U.S. citizenship applications rose 18%.

• The Jason Grimsley case opens a new door into baseball's dirty secrets.

Charlie's Show Prep #112

• The Republican wins the the special Congressional election by 4% and the San Francisco Chronicle calls it a "narrow victory."

• A United Nations official whined on Tuesday that "Much of the public discourse [about the U.N.] that reaches the U.S. heartland has been largely abandoned to its loudest detractors such as Rush Limbaugh and Fox News."

• A new study finds Milwaukee's residency requirement for teachers hurts the schools. The teacher's union is for nixing it.

• Congressmen Sensenbrenner and Green both see the state Elections Board violating federal law by allowing a portion of firt-time voter's Social Security number to be used when registering.

• The pregnant Britney Spears seeks a divorce. [Now, my Britney Spears quota has been filled for the year.]

Charlie's Show Prep #111

• Michael McGee/Jackson is caught in another lie. One of his aids, Manquis Daniels, was charged for possessing marijuana. McGee/Jackson said he stopped working for him last Friday, "but City Clerk Ron Leonhardt said Daniels was still on the payroll Tuesday."

• 20% of the spending on the Marquette Interchange project has gone to minority-owned firms. One way the Department of Transportation did this is by breaking down bigger contracts into smaller ones. There's no questioning of if this was the most cost-effective. It may have been. But diversity might have trumped economics with heavily-burdened taxpayers paying the feel-good bill.

• Harvard University will being the barbaric practice of harvesting stem cells from human embryos.

• The Senate is set to debate a bill creating a race-based government in Hawaii.

No Pity for Racine Taxpayers

If you ever hear someone from Racine complain about taxes being too high have them explain why they keep the school district pick their pockets:

Voters tonight passed a $6.45 million one-year spending referendum. About fifty-four percent of those voting approved the request for more money, 46% rejected it. The vote was 10,413 to 8,920.

The referendum proposal is the same amount and duration as an expiring spending referendum, and helps plug a projected $9 million hole in the 2006-'07 budget. District officials recently revealed that $3.3 million of the gap was due to an accounting miscalculation.

"Racine Voters Back More School Spending"

Charlie's Show Prep #110

• The Racine school referendum will go down in flames now that voters know the district can't maintain their books.

• George Will on 25 years of AIDS in the U.S.: "Human beings do learn. But they often do at a lethally slow pace."

• Peru's newly elected president is a snub toward Hugo Chavez.

• Patrick Fitzgerald wants to use a Wall Street Journal editorial as evidence against Scooter Libby.

• The paper airline ticket will soon be an artifact.

Charlie's Show Prep #109

• Here's a comparison of the Milwaukee and Chicago sewer systems.

• Gay rights activists were refused communion in a St. Paul, MN Catholic church.

• China remembered the Tiananmen Square anniversary by having police make sure no body remembered it.

• Today, Michelle Wie tries to become the first women to qualify for the U.S. Open.

Exhausted

Who would think eating grilled meat, drinking beer, and talking about whatever came to mind would make me so tired. Being in a great park on a beautiful day talking with smart, cool people had a lot to do with it. That and we had a Dennis York sighting.

The sock puppet really is dead.

Explain This to Me

Why did I waste my time reading Dave Begel tell me, "Explain This to Me" ten times?

"Begel Ponders Some of the Imponderable Mysteries of Sport"

Spinning the Bookmobile

WISN's Early Spin also gave Mayor Barrett the Bookmobile dig. The idea of giving away Brewers tickets to stop crime is lame and deserves ridicule, but the Bookmobile doesn't have books anymore. Therefore it isn't the Bookmobile. It's called a "mobile community substation" whatever that is. Mock that because...

In the mobile police station, officers would be joined by representatives of other government agencies, schools and community organizations offering services to help people improve their neighborhoods and reduce crime.

Charlie's Show Prep #108

• A study accuses Wisconsin of cheating on No Child Left Behind standards. According to the Department of Public Instruction 99% of teachers are "highly qualified."

• The only job markets worse than Milwaukee are New Orleans, Gulfport-Biloxi, MS, and Detroit. Detroit is...well...Detroit. And the first two are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. What's Milwaukee's excuse?

• The Army Corps of Engineers admits New Orleans' levees were a "catastrophic failure."

• John Jones is the new Green Bay Packers president. This is the first step in replacing Bob Harlan. What direction will he take the team? What is his philosophy in bringing a championship back to Title Town?

Sex and the CoB

Sex and the Mil-town hosted this week's Carnival of the Badger. Yours truly forgot to submit anything. Me bad. Truly had fun with what little she had to work with.

McBride Biffed It

Last night, Jessica McBride wrote,

Mayor Barrett and Police Chief Hegerty are dispatching the bookmobile to high crime areas to combat the rash of shootings. I am not making this up.

The stepped-up police presence would be bolstered by a "mobile community substation" that would be based in the vehicle once known as the Bookmobile. The longtime library on wheels was mothballed by budget cuts this year.

I'm waiting for her clarification.

"More Police for High-Crime Areas Top Anti-Crime Efforts"

[Hat tip to DJ for being skeptical.]

MPA Wants McCann Gone

The Milwaukee Police Association wants District Attorney Michael McCann gone after his handling of the Alfonzo Glover case along with "additional investigations of police officers which (McCann) has handled, and is currently handling."

This is not surprising. McCann hasn't offered an explanation for why he went against the inquest's determination and charged Glover with murder while accepting scores of previous inquest decisions in police shooting.

"MPA Calls for McCann's Resignation"

Spring Fling 2006

Hey Wisconsin webloggers, weblog readers, politicians, assorted media types not embarassed to hang out with the unwashed masses, and new media anthropologists Saturday is the Wisconsin Blogosphere Spring Fling. It's an excuse to get away from our computers (no wi-fi in the great outdoors), eat, drink (Leinie's of course), and meet the assorted ruffians that make up the Wisconsin blogosphere. It's at Nagawaukee Park in Waukesha County starting at noon. Bring your own food (grills will be provided) and drink (nothing stronger than beer and wine coolers). Lefties, Righties, Howard Deaniacs, and Pat Buchananites are all welcome. Even Xoff can come.

"3 Days Until the Greatest Event in the History of Wisconsin"

No New Taxes. Not Even for Culture

Here's a new idea that should be DOA: a seven-county sales tax for cultural attractions. The new tax would pay for the Milwaukee County Zoo, the Milwaukee Public Museum, and other cultural institutions. It sounds sort-of good at first. Backers see it as only being a small tax of 0.01%--one cent for every $10 spent. But it's a tax that's bound to grow. Even before it's enacted Mayor Tom Barrett wants it to cover "City of Milwaukee police and fire services, Milwaukee County parks and various regional transit needs." That already sounds like something higher than 0.01%. Like any tax it will grow and grow. A new special interest will have been created who will tell us the "sky is falling" and culture in Milwaukee will be doomed in the tax isn't raised. Rarely do taxes die. Once in place we're stuck with them.

Mayor Barrett is politically astute enough to not "see an appetite in this community for any increased taxes," but that isn't stopping him from looking at ways to do it.

The problem with government isn't a lack of revenue. We're taxed too much. Wisconsin's total tax burden [PDF] is 32.2%. That's twelth-highest in the nation. The problem isn't a lack of tax dollars.

This idea was "wacky" when Dan Finley quasi-proposed it last year. Time hasn't made it anymore sensible.

"7-County Sales Tax for Cultural Sites Pushed"

UPDATE: Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker both get it.

McReynolds:

I’m a firm believer in genuine regional cooperation, but this isn’t cooperation—it’s picking the pockets of the other six counties.

Walker:

[M]ost people believe that the government already takes too much money from them. I agree. Just look at my second point. If our fringe benefit rate was closer to 30%, we could do a great deal more in the parks. Giving the government the funds from a new tax without fixing the core of the problem just makes it worse in the future.

Charlie's Show Prep #107

• The Milwaukee Common Council upheld Mayor Barrett's veto and killed the electric choo-choo.

• Here's a report from Kabul two days after the riot.

• A freaky wife killer wants Massachusetts to pay for his sex-change operation.

• Lance Armstrong has been cleared of doping charges.

• Ted Nugent: gloriously psychotic. "My confidence level is insane." That's not the only thing insane. [via Grandpa John's]

• Juan Valdez is retiring. Don't worry. The new one will be announced later this month. [via TBIFOC]

Bookmobile vs. the Bad Guys

I know Reading is Fundamental but this is ridiculous.

"I Don't Know Where to Laugh or Cry"

Candidates Pounce on Inactive Lautenschlager

Attorney General candidate JB Van Hollen jumps on Peg Lautenschlager for being silent after Milwaukee's violent Memorial Day Weekend:

She's AWOL on fighting violent gun crime in Wisconsin's largest city.

Apparently, Peg Lautenschlager is too busy suing law abiding farmers in northern Wisconsin and fighting the EPA, Department of Education and FDA to actually focus on fighting crime in the highest crime area of the state.

We need more than a long-term action plan, though; we need to do something now.

Fellow GOP candidate Paul Bucher went after both Lautenschlager, Gov. Doyle, and dawdling local officials:

Doyle has been too busy to focus on the 28 shootings in Milwaukee over the past few days, I suppose, since he's been wasting time vetoing reasonable pieces of legislation (including one requiring verification of citizenship to get state benefits) and he's been too busy dodging questions about why the man he named Parole commissioner released two cop killers.

As for Lautenschlager? She's been too busy filing her frivolous lawsuits against legislators, cranberry growers, the FDA, you name it.

And on the local level, officials are convening task forces to "study" the issues rather than going after the criminal element in a serious and aggressive manner like they are down in Chicago right now. In Milwaukee, the locals are shooting down common sense gang loitering ordinances that would give police the tools they need to preserve the quality of life for the law-abiding citizen.

"Lautenschlager Needs to Fight Real Crime"

"Lautenschlager and Doyle AWOL on Gun Violence"

Charlie's Show Prep #106

• No surprise from the Journal Sentinel editorial board. They think more gun laws and jobs for inner city kids will prevent murders. Suburban kids have all sorts of "connections." I guess they're connections if that's what you call going down to McDonalds and applying. They don't mention concealed carry, the culture of "stop snitchin'" and briefly mention the role of parents.

• Congressman James Sensenbrenner is on the wrong side of the Jefferson raid.

• Egypt is cracking down on dissident webloggers.

• AlGore calling anyone an "extremist" definitely brings to mind something about a kettle and the color black.

Accused Milwaukee Cop Commits Suicide

Officer Alfonzo Glover who was charged with "first-degree intentional homicide in the March 2005 death of Wilbert Javier Prado" posted $25,000 bail, went home, then killed himself.

Patrick at Badger Blogger and Phelony Jones wonder if District Attorney E. Michael McCann charged him to improve his standing with some in the public. This is man who only charged one cop in a fatal shooting during his 37 years in office.

McCann has blood on his hands. He has some explaining to do.

"Officer Charged in Murder Takes Own Life"

Charlie's Show Prep #105

• UW officials used some hardball to try to get a sponsorship out of U.S. Bank.

• Ricardo Pimentel and the gang think Paul Barrows is a victim.

• By jacking up taxes MATC is making it easier to require the board be filled with elected people.

• There may be an lost manuscript of Jane Eyre floating around. Letters indicate Charlotte Bronte edited it because of a libel charge.

• Perfectly grown men are beating each other up. It's a real life Fight Club.

Milwaukee's Parks Problems

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an article about the fiscal troubles with the Milwaukee parks system. Blame Tom Ament for putting county employee pensions and benefits ahead of maintaining the parks. This is how bad it's gotten:

Consider: Though parks staffing has fallen by two-thirds since 1986, fringe benefit payments have nearly doubled the last 10 years and are now at $6.5 million of a $37 million parks budget. The hypergenerous pension and sick-leave deal of 2000-'01 and skyrocketing retiree health insurance costs factor in.

There's mention of closing down little-used pools, opening waterparks to increase revenue, renting out space to business and special events, and increasing private donations. I'd feel more sympathy with Parks Director Sue Black but Fox 6 news reported last night there was free admission yesterday to the Cool Waters waterpark in Greenfield Park. Yesterday was the warmest day of the year so far. There was no need to get people out to the park. That was a lost opportunity to get some much-needed revenue.

"County Parks Sinking Fast"

Charlie's Show Prep #104

• Michael Jackson is headed for Tokyo. That's why he needed to get a passport. Wait...wrong Michael Jackson.

• Speaking of Alderman Thriller, he declared, "Given my recent arrest in civil court, I believe there is less than equal protection under the law for elected officials." I agree. Judging from Lee Holloway's slap on the wrist elected officials get treated less harshly.

  Then there's the record of a Michael I. Jackson involved in a car accident in 1996. That person never paid his $6000 judgement. McGee/Jackson says, "I don't have a record of consistently using that name" and "I don't recall that." Odd responses, but this is Alderman Thriller we're talking about.

• Someone from Reuters sent some nasty hate mail to a weblogger. Yes, that media bias. [via In the Bullpen]

• President Bush sealed Congressman William Jefferson's files taken by the FBI last weekend. Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner will hold hearings next week on the FBI raid.

• Wacko British member of parliment George Galloway told GQ it would me "morally justified" for a suicide bomber to kill Tony Blair. Galloway happened to profit from the Iraq Oil-for-Food scandal.

• A million people are expected at Pope Benedict's mass in Warsaw.

Two-Way Ron

Congressman Ron Kind's constituent service made a boo-boo. A banker sent him a letter on a bill taxing credit union and got two different responses. Joey at Wide White writes,

He holds small community banks "in the highest regard," but he is also "opposed to taxation of credit unions" because those same small banks are "focusing on maximizing profits."

Let's go play a game of politics with Ron Kind!

Something doesn't smell right.

"Two Letters. Different Opinions. Same Consituent. Oops!"

"Off the Wall"

Alderman Thriller pumped out a press release. And I'm here to fisk it:

Although I know “Thriller” is considered the top-selling album of all time, I want to make it clear that I am not trying to change my legal name to “Michael Jackson” (as some people have been led to believe).

I am trying to legally change my name to Michael Imanu McGee because I would like to obtain a U.S. Passport for international travel. However, I’ve had difficulties doing this because when I was born, my father was using his birth name, Michael Jackson, so the last name on my birth certificate is “Jackson.”

I was born when my father was serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. After my father returned home from the war, he was adopted, and then started using “McGee” as his last name because it is the last name of his adoptive father. In turn, I was then given the McGee last name, as well, and have used it ever since.

How did his dad “get adopted” after returning from Vietnam? Did his dad go into the Army at age 12, or did someone adopt a 25 year old man? Or, as is most likely the case, is McGee/Jackson lying again?

Again, I have been told by federal authorities that because my last name does not match the last name on my birth certificate, I must have my name legally changed to McGee to meet the legal requirements that will allow me to get a U.S. Passport.

For more Patrick at Badger Blogger has a bad photoshop (but it feels so right) and McGee/Jackson admitting to a tryst he earlier denied.

A Question about Michael McGee/Jackson?

Whatever the alderman's name is I wonder if Michael McGee/Jackson really is Michael McGee, Sr.'s son. Who is his mother? The Jackson had to come from somewhere--maybe from "Thriller's" warped mind.

Charlie's Show Prep #103

• Both Congressman Mark Green and Gov. Jim Doyle both voiced displeasure at the UW System's new admissions policy. There's goes that as a campaign issue. UW president David Walsh supports "holistic review" but wishes it was stated to the public better. It would be even better if it was called what it really is, race-based admissions.

• The Michael McGee Jackson continues. He wants to legally change his name to Michael McGee. The name might explain the weirdness. There's something about people named Michael Jackson. And another thing, McGee/Jackson says he doesn't have a birth certificate. There are also rumors he came from a cabbage patch.

• The drugging of America has a cost. "Accidental overdoses and side effects from attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder drugs send about 3,100 Americans -- 80 percent of them children -- to hospital emergency rooms annually, a federal survey has found."

• The Pentagon is scared of China. To me it looks like a rising economic power building its military to protect its growing energy needs. The close economic linkages between the U.S and China mean the Dragon can't afford to go to war with us. Islamism is the most pressing national security threat.

• Vonage became a rare IPO to go down. It may be a sign of bad economic times or the company went public too late. I'm betting the latter.

• Two teens were arrested for trying to extort $150,000 from MySpace.

• A Gary, IN cross-dressing student was barred from his prom.

Tim, Make a Decision

Tim Michels as a Tommy Thompson-like pol who likes his ego stroked? That's what Deb Jordahl thinks,

Having said all that, Tim Michels should realize that his fifteen minutes of fame are just about up, and he’d better use it or lose it. Michels needs to stop playing cat and mouse with the Republican Party just to keep his name in the press. If he wants a future in Republican politics, Michels should get off the sidelines and use his popularity to help Mark Green, Paul Bucher or any number of vulnerable legislative candidates throughout the state.

"Tim Michels Should Use it or Lose it"

Charlie's Show Prep #102

• No longer will good grades, test scores, or class rank assure you of a play in a UW school. It's all about "holistic review" which is a edu-crat buzz word that means race and ethnicity. The days of simply filling out a one-page college application are no more.

• MATC thumbs its nose at taxpayers by raising its tax levy 5%. Look for calls to make vocational school boards elected positions.

• Amnesty International released its annual report and demonstrate they ignorance of a war going on around them.

• Next month's Lefty convention YearlyKos has a commercial. Here's a deconstrution. I noticed a voice saying, "Politics concerns everything that you do. Everything that happens in your life is political." It's the "personal is political" for a new generation.

Charlie's Show Prep #101

• Wisconsin is the #1 paper-producing state for the 50th year in a row.

• Big Labor is imploding. Another union ditches the AFL-CIO.

• Dick Morris sees alternative fuels as the key to President Bush's political revival.

• Palestine creaks toward civil war. Hamas and Fatah forces battled it out in Gaza City.

Charlie's Show Prep #100

• Drudge reports Howard Dean, M.D. secretly tried to defeat New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin. Chalk up another Dr. Dean failure.

• A Louisiana Congressman got caught on videotape taking a $100,000 bribe. He then hid the loot in his freezer.

• Many illegal aliens caught are released due to lack of funds.

NRA Takes on Doyle

It sounds like there was a little more political passion in Milwaukee at the NRA meetings than at the state GOP convention in Appleton. In Milwaukee "Dump Doyle" signs were everywhere. In Appleton we got stuck with Tim Michels doing bad comedy.

"'Dump Doyle' Resounding Cry as Convention Opens"

Tim Michels Considering Senate Run

The Wisconsin GOP needs someone, anyone to run against Sen. Herb Kohl. When no one, not even Tommy Thompson who has the Badger State's biggest ego, will jump at the challenge go for a past loser. Tim Michels who ran a miserable general election against Sen. Russ Feingold two years ago is considering running again. WisPolitics interviewed State GOP chairman Rick Graber:

Ross: Have you talked to Tim lately, you know, about running for U.S. Senate?

Graber: Sure.

Ross: How are those conversations going?

Graber: Tim is very interested in the prospect. Certainly, as long as Tommy Thompson’s in the picture, it’s going to stall any final decisions. He knows the challenge. But, I think he’s interested. I think he’s interested. But it would have to be a different sort of campaign, a much shorter campaign, a more intense campaign. But, I like the political environment in the state of Wisconsin, notwithstanding all that’s going on nationally and all that you hear about problems for the Republican Party. I think things look very good in the state of Wisconsin for a very good year.

Ross: What kind of things would Tim have to do differently? What kind of campaign would Tim have to run against Herb Kohl? It’s now the middle of May, We’re talking six months.

Graber: A much shorter campaign. There obviously would be far less of a primary situation like we had a couple of years ago. I think the fact that it’s not a presidential year is an advantage for a challenger. If you think back a couple of years, this state was so dominated by the presidential election with all the ads and the presence of the candidates seemingly every single day. I think that the United States Senate race got in fact overshadowed. I think Russ Feingold ran perhaps his best campaign last time. But I think that whole Senate race got lost in the presidential domination.

Ross: A big-time campaign and big-time money; does Tim Michels have that right now? Does he have the capability to do that?

Graber: I think he’s got the capability, sure, sure. And certainly a lot of that would have to come from personal resources. And certainly the national senatorial committee is interested in both Tommy Thompson and Tim Michels, as they are both well known. If either one of them were to jump into this race, I think that all of a sudden Wisconsin would become a very targeted state.

But the national folks, the national committee is very focused on retaining Republican control of both the Senate and the House. You get a big-name candidate like that, I think they’d pay attention.

"Interview with State GOP Chair Rick Graber"

Offshore Oil Drilling Vote Count

Kudos go to Representatives Mark Green, Jim Sensenbrenner, and Paul Ryan for voting to open up more of the U.S. coast to oil drilling. To the rest of Wisconsin's House delegation: you have no integrity when talking about high gas prices.

UPDATE: Aaron @ Subject to Change humorously asks when drilling begins off Chicago. It won't happen because Great Lakes oil drilling was banned last year.

Mayor Barrett, Read the Damn Bill

Yesterday, instead of welcoming the NRA and its thousands of supporters to Milwaukee Mayor Tom "I am a Freedom Fighter" Barrett complained the civil rights organization--which the NRA is--opposes the government sharing gun trace information with among law enforcement by supporting H.R. 5005. Too bad that's not true. Read page 8, section 9.

"Lies from the Other Side"

Charlie's Show Prep #99

• Any Congressman who voted to continue the ban on offshore drilling should never, ever complain about gas prices.

• The Senate voted to let illegal immigrants collect Social Security from their illegal jobs.

• Spivak & Bice dig into a local Islamic leader.

• Egypt is using riot police to quell protesters who are defending an independent judiciary.

• What would Jack Bauer do?

McGee, Sr. Opens His Big Mouth Again

Michael McGee, Sr. is the most paranoid man I've ever heard on the radio. Patrick at Badger Blogger caught him rambling on about how his son Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. was cheated in athletic competitions and given bad grades just because he was a McGee. With all that oppression how did junior ever become an alderman? The Man must have let his guard down.

In response to his son being arrested for violating a restraining order McGee, Sr. rambled, "Vietnam Syndrome is going to take over and I'm going to go down there and mess up a bunch of them, that’s for sure." I'm still waiting for him to fulfill his threat to--paraphrasing Jonathan Coleman--roll burning tires down the freeways.

"McGee Sr. Blames Everyone Else"

Pay to Play, Journal Sentinel Style

Charlie Sykes asked Milwaukee Journal Sentinel publisher Betsy Brenner if there would be a special section in the newspaper similar to the one when the NAACP came into town last year. Here's Brenner's response:

Charlie:

Journal Sentinel agrees to publish a special section around regional conventions when the convention organizers commit (in advance) to produce or underwrite at least three pages of advertising to support it.

Last year, the NAACP organizers did so well before the national meeting in Milwaukee. Their endorsement to their sponsors enabled us to publish a 22-page section, with 13+ pages of advertising. Total revenue generated by that section was over $60,000.

This year, the NRA organizers considered purchasing one full page – but as of today’s deadline for Friday’s paper, they’re not certain whether to proceed with it. One page isn’t enough to generate a section on our end, so we didn’t plan to publish one.

We will, of course, cover the NRA convention in the news columns of the paper.

-Betsy Brenner

NRA's Gun Pledge

Before their meetings have really begun the National Rifle Association has made news in Milwaukee:

The National Rifle Association said today it will ask all of the nation's mayors and police chiefs to sign a pledge stating they would never confiscate weapons from law-abiding citizens, such as in periods of emergency.

At a news conference, NRA officials said the initiative was prompted by what happened in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina where they said leaders ordered police to collect the guns amid the flooding and chaos.

In addition to the pledge request, unveiled this morning in an ad in USA Today, the group said it will seek state and federal legislation that would make it a crime for those in authority to take the guns.

It's no surprise the City of Milwaukee didn't take too kindly to the pledge:

"The rhetoric to say we are going to disarm law-abiding citizens is a little over the top," Deputy Police Chief Brian O'Keefe said at a City Hall news conference. Police have neither the time nor the legal authority to raid innocent citizens' homes and grab their guns, O'Keefe said.

As for New Orleans, O'Keefe said, he wasn't "aware of any widespread confiscations," but police did take guns from people who were threatening public safety, and Milwaukee police would do the same thing in the same circumstances.

Waters were receding across this flood-beaten city today as police officers began confiscating weapons, including legally registered firearms, from civilians in preparation for a mass forced evacuation of the residents still living here.

No civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to carry pistols, shotguns or other firearms, said P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police. "Only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons," he said.

To Deputy Police Chief Brian O'Keefe such facts are a "little over the top."

In other NRA meetings news Daniel Suhr reports Marquette University won't be holding a party for the NRA like it did when the NAACP came to Milwaukee for its convention last year.

UPDATE: Phelony Jones hopes "the NRA can put a smoking barrel under the ginormous ass of Wisconsin and therefore help motivate us to get concealed carry."

Charlie's Show Prep #98

• The Stanley prison needs $5 million for it to meet code. The prison's builder gave a Chuck Chvala-controlled political organization $125,000. Chvala changed his vote. Now, he's sitting at home serving home detention while Scott Jensen will have to spend 15 months in prison.

• Want to talk about civil war? Look at the Palestinian Authority. There are now competing security organizations.

• Here come the "gun nuts." Let's hope the NRA outdraws the piddly numbers from the NAACP convention last year.

• UW System president Kevin Reilly fired his PR staff. Changing who spins things won't change the fact the system needs serious reform.

• Jerry Kramer got his Super Bowl I ring back.

Charlie's Show Prep #97

• Rep. Gwen Moore finally made a show out of herself in Washington. In a highly staged event outside the Sudan embassy she was arrested. She "knew not to wear jewelry, not to wear shoes with laces - just slip-on shoes - and were instructed to have just a photo ID and $50 cash on them, and nothing else. The police were informed and the members were prepared ahead of time, so that it could be very smooth and peaceful." What a joke.

• Bill Cosby again spoke truth to power.

• The administrator of Medicare called the sign-up for the drug program a "historic success." Of course he wasn't thinking of the taxpayers who are stuck with the bill.

• Sheriff David Clarke is being sued for letting a religious group talk at deputies' roll call.

Charlie's Show Prep #96

• Want a job? Become a welder. Milwaukee factories crave them.

• Is Google's funding of MoveOn.org to promote net neutrality actually being used to attack Republicans?

• Karl Rove pitches the Bush economy.

• Mark Goldblatt points out that containment wasn't doing much to Saddam Hussein.

• Big Government Conservatism is proving a political failure.

• The internet revolution continues. For the rest of 2006 you can make phone calls to any number in the U.S. for free using Skype.

Charlie's Show Prep #95

• Lambeau Field, a Wisconsin Dells water park, and shopping malls are "critical infrastructure?" Only in the eyes of the federal government and local officials.

• Wisconsin candidates are using the internet to advertise.

• The history of gas price controls and "windfall profit taxes" is pretty poor.

• Newt Gingrich thinks Sen. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic Presidential front-runner.

• Today is the deadline to sign up for the Medicare drug plan.

Tommy's Not Running

The buzz surrounding Tommy Thompson running to for governor went "kaput!" He's not running:

After serious consideration and many conversations with my family and people around Wisconsin, I have decided not to run for Governor this year. I have come to this conclusion for two simple reasons: my family's unanimous opposition against another campaign and because I am convinced that Mark Green is the right candidate to lead our party and will be victorious in November.

It was critical in my decision making to know that the Republican Party has Mark Green to lead Wisconsin forward again and return our state to the greatness we enjoyed when we were the pride and model of the nation.

I am privileged to accept the role as the honorary chairman of Mark's campaign because he knows that the strength of Wisconsin is found in our people. Mark has the vision, integrity and principles needed to bring the state and its people together.

Mark Green will put the state back on the right track. I will work tirelessly to campaign for Mark as we seek to restore the confidence and resolve that make Wisconsin great.

UPDATE: Here is the Green campaign's statement:

Today, Congressman Mark Green, the Republican candidate for governor, announced that former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson will serve as his campaign’s honorary chairman. Following this announcement, Green made the following statement:

“Twenty years ago, Wisconsin was headed in the wrong direction. Our taxes were too high, our businesses were leaving and people were talking about turning the lights off on Wisconsin. Despite the strength of our people, and the very history and heritage of our state, our future was in doubt.

“Tommy Thompson knew we could be so much more than we were in 1986. So, he took on the Madison establishment and special interests, and he won. Governor Thompson went on to re-establish Wisconsin as a national leader … reforming the welfare system and challenging the education establishment. He lowered taxes, and he rebuilt our economy to one of the strongest in the country.

“Today, Jim Doyle has our state pointed in the wrong direction. He trusts the special interests instead of the people, and he is holding Wisconsin back. I’m honored to have Tommy Thompson’s support and, as the honorary chairman of my campaign, he’ll be helping us to again retake our government for all the people of this great state.”

Bus Driver Requests Urine from Student

There's no requirement one must be smart to drive a school bus:

A Milwaukee-area school bus driver for the Lakeside Co. has been fired over allegations that she tried to solicit urine from a 14-year-old middle school student to help her pass a drug test.

"She had asked my daughter to give her a urine sample. When I got my daughter home, that's when my daughter told me. She asked her to give her a urine sample because she uses marijuana, and if she was to give urine -- 'cause they do random tests -- it would be dirty," Linda Williams said.

The 14-year-old girl is a student at Whitman Middle School in Wauwatosa.

Wauwatosa police said they are investigating.

"Bus Driver Fired For Allegedly Soliciting Urine From Student"

Nobody's for Tommy

Judging from the responses at the Badger Blog Alliance [here, here, here, here, here, and here ] conservative news junkies don't want Tommy Thompson challenging Gov. Doyle in November. We remember Tommy as a good campaigner and policy visionary who made us feel good about Wisconsin, but none of us remember Tommy as a fighter for limiting government. Of course some of us (me included) were too young to know what was going on in Madison.

Charlie's Show Prep #94

• Sell Mitchell International Airport? It's an old idea that might happen due to Milwaukee County's worsening finances.

• Social networking websites like MySpace may face federal regulation to protect minors from sexual predators.

• A proposed .xxx internet domain was rejected. Some say it was due to U.S. pressure.

• Sheboygan can start planning to get into the space business but where are the companies eager for a spaceport? Try New Mexico and California.

• It's wet and cold outside yet the Journal Sentinel thinks it's a great time to start thinking about patio dining.

Charlie's Show Prep #93

• President Bush's conservative fan club has shrunk. Some even want him impeached [and here].

• Howard Dean has ticked off his gay and lesbian supporters.

• A California (where else?) professor is displaying her "attribute" on the internet. [via OTB]

Charlie's Show Prep #92

• The Menomonee Valley and possibly the state will lose BuySeasons.

• Three Black Republicans are running in statewide races in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland. All three have legitimate shots at winning. This must make Eugene Kane's head spin.

• Behold! America's biggest college loser goes to UW-Whitewater. Twelve years as an undergrad and Johnny Lechner still hasn't graduated. Why when "I have 18-, 19- and 20-year-old girls throwing themselves at me in bars"?

Charlie's Show Prep #91

• If Democrats take Congress this fall they won't impeach President Bush or so says Howard Dean. Then he better tell Rep. John Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. His staff recommends [PDF] "The House should establish a bipartisan select committee with subpoena authority to investigate the Bush Administration's abuses detailed in this Report and report to the Committee on the Judiciary on possible impeachable offenses." Conyers doesn't refute this. Instead, he calls it "oversight." Dean should also disavow two recent books making the case for impeachment.

• Republicans are critical of Michael Hayden running the CIA. They worry a military man shouldn't run the agency. They better offer a better reason since there's a history of military men as director.

• In a way Scott Walker is lucky he's no longer running for governor. Imagine him trying to run an effective campaign while dealing with a tough financial crisis that could lead to an outside board taking control.

• The Vatican is fighting a cheesy book and movie in The Da Vinci Code. They're wasting their time. It's fine to point out the errors and pop the conspiracy bubble author Dan Brown semi-created, but there's no need to ask Christians to employ "legal means."

Questioning a Poll

Xoff found a problem with the Strategic Vision poll that had Tommy Thompson trouncing Gov. Doyle: we have no idea who sponsored it. It would be hilarious if we discover Tommy was behind the poll.

I'd like to know the poll questions. Wording can drastically change a poll's results. "Hillary Rodham Clinton" polls better than "Hillary Clinton."

Yes, Bill Christofferson makes some sense every once in a while.

"Who's Paying for these Polls?"

Charlie's Show Prep #90

• Two things stand in the way of the bloated war and hurricane emergency spending bill: House Republicans who realize spending like Democrats could lose them control of Congress and President Bush who has threatened to use his first veto.

• What is it about Kennedys, crashes, and cover-ups?

• The Muhammad cartoons fury has "only strengthened our [Denmark's] resolve to assist countries that are in the midst of very difficult social transformations." Danish troops will "stay in Iraq and finish the job."

• Take carry-on baggage when flying this summer. A congressman thinks more passengers and fewer TSA workers will lead to more lost luggage.

NOTE: There would be links to Journal Sentinel stories but I can't access the site.

TPA Dies in State Senate

When the pathetic, wimpy version of the TPA passed the State Assembly last week the whole project died. Tonight's vote in the State Senate was simply symbolic. We can see which state senators care about limiting government and its hunger for more and more taxes. Owen Robinson decided to pay attention and list the names. In a few weeks the state GOP will hold their convention in Appleton. I hope conservatives give certain legislators an earful.

"TPA Dead"

Charlie's Show Prep #89

• Oh no. A poll has Tommy Thompson beating Gov. Doyle. This news makes his announcement at the GOP state convention in a few weeks that much bigger.

• Increased energy prices and President Bush's "Big Government" conservatism are helping grow personal incomes in many states. Wisconsin ranks 27th.

• In the words of a Washington Times editorial: "At the very least, politicians everywhere should abandon the idea of tax dollars for illegal laborers." According to one poll Monday's illegal immigrant rallies didn't move public opinion either way.

• After U.S. pressure Mexican president Vicente Fox wants changes to a proposed law decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs.

Charlie's Show Prep #88

• I don't think the illegal immigration protests helped their cause. In Herndon, VA three politicians were defeated over an immigrant employment center. [via Wizbang]

• Wisconsin government has another problem with over-budget software projects. This time the UW system spent $26 million and has nothing to show for it.

• Nine states are suing the federal government for lax vehicle fuel economy standards. Expect the media whore Peg Lautenschlager to jump on this suit.

• The Washington, D.C. housing market's bubble might have burst. Could it be a national trend? Construction on two towers of condos will begin on Milwaukee's east side in June. [via The Volokh Conspiracy]

• A bill dealing with cleaning up the Fox River involved procedural tricks and an illegal committee vote. State Senator Alan Lasee earns the quote of the day for calling a Dane County judge a "froot loop."

Mission Accomplished

Brian Hagedorn survived Northwestern law school. Beware, another conservative, Federalist Society lawyers is on the loose.

Congrats, Brian.

[via B&S]

Charlie's Show Prep #87

• In Milwaukee the only things shut down by the illegal immigrant protests were the Latino community and the streets clogged with protesters.

• Despite Rep. Gwen Moore's complaints BuySeasons coming to the Menomonee Valley will come to a common council vote.

• 9,200 "national security letters" were issued by the Justice Department last year under the Patriot Act.

• Iran is preparing for economic sanctions by seeking lots of Thai rice.

• By 2014 U.S. troops will have left Okinawa.

Charlie's Show Prep #86

• Madison and Milwaukee are good economic exceptions among Midwest cities.

• The Department of Justice wants a lawsuit against AT&T tossed because it might devulge state secrets. The case involves possible NSA wiretapping.

• Time magazine put out their list of 100 most important people. Sorry, Charlie Sykes doesn't make the list.

• Colorado Democrats are in a bind. Their only candidate for governor is pro-life.

• UWM students don't want a school name change.

Bin Laden Sightings

JB Van Hollen was right. There are terrorists running around Wisconsin.

Charlie's Show Prep #85

• Charles Krauthammer writes all you need to know about high gas prices. And he admits he's taking much of it from what he wrote in 1996. The more things change....

• A Gallup Poll found most people in the South go to church.

• Yesterday was an example of why the White House press corps is worthless.

• United 93 opens today. Being a Hollywood production it isn't pure history.

• Loony aldermen in Chicago banned foie gras from their city's resturants and food shops.

TPA Debate

If you can stand it listen to the State Assembly live audio of the Taxpayers Protection Amendment debate. Much of it is painful to endure. Great speakers are few and far between in that body. Owen Robinson is in wait and see mode.

UPDATE: After some vote failed (I think it was Rep. Lasee's amendment) both parties have gone to caucus. It's going to be a long night.

UPDATE II: Jenna at Right off the shore reports the TPA died 32-66. Speaker Gard has egg on his face.

UPDATE III: Because the Journal Sentinel's DayWatch weblog has no permalinks (dumb, dumb, dumb) I'll quote the entire story about the death of a TPA that limited state and local government:

The state Assembly tonight killed a constitutional amendment that would have clamped tight spending controls on state and local governments - the first vote by either house of the Legislature on constitutional spending limits.

Later, the Assembly was scheduled to vote on a plan to amend the state constitution to limit only state spending, by tying it to the inflation rate and population growth. Sponsors said the vote was too close to call.

Even if approved by the Assembly this week and Senate next week, limits on state spending would have to be passed again by the new Legislature that convenes in January, and approved by voters in a statewide referendum.

On a 66-32 vote Thursday night, the Assembly rejected constitutional limits that would have extended to local government. Those limits would have been based on inflation, population growth or new construction, depending on the level of government involved. Voters could have lifted the limits through local referendums.

The proposal for broader limits was offered by Rep. Frank Lasee (R-Bellevue), who has pushed a package of tight spending controls for eight years. He said all other attempts to protect taxpayers have failed and that wealthy retirees and young professionals are fleeing Wisconsin because of high taxes.

"We are so, so afraid of asking voters how much they can afford, or what they desire," Lasee said.

But Democratic Rep. Jim Kreuser of Kenosha called Lasee's proposal unpopular and unworkable, and said it would "duct tape the hands together" of local elected officials who provide critical local services.
"It's wrong for Wisconsin," he said.

The vote came one day after more than 100 local elected officials and advocates for unions, retirees and religious groups came to the Capitol to lobby against any constitutional restraints on state and local governments.

Charlie's Show Prep #84

• In the past twelve months the Milwaukee area has lost 7700 jobs. Thanks to Congressman Gwen Moore, "expert" on job creation, some of those jobs won't be replaced.

• I've been hard on Assembly Speaker John Gard. He's making up for his previous lack of leadership by trying to get some amendment limiting government spending passed. With his not-so-good poll numbers Gard wants some positive news.

• The Journal Sentinel finally acknowledges Michael McGee's racist humor. It only took five days.

• There's more troubles with the U.N. The U.S. Attorney's office is investigating problems "in the office that handles procurement for U.N. peacekeeping operations." Then there's the question of who let the world body sell off its valuable stamp collection.

• United 93 opened the Tribeca Film Festival.

Carnival of the Badger

Belle at Leaning Blue put together a fine Carnival of the Badger. Check it out. She sacrificed valuable study time for our reading enjoyment.

"Carnival of the Badger: Q&A Edition"

Tire Slashers Receive Sentence

Four of the Milwaukee 5 tire slashers received their sentences today:

Michael Pratt was sentenced to six months in jail, and Sowande Omokunde, Moore's son, got four months in jail. Lavelle Mohammad was sentenced to five months in jail, and Lewis Caldwell received a six-month jail sentence.

Each was fined $1,000. The defendants all had previously paid a collective restitution of $5,320, as part of the plea bargain.

Thus ends this story of voter interference and violence.

"4 Sentenced to Jail for Tire Slashings"

Charlie's Show Prep #83

• Steve Foti works the state capitol while on work release.

• The "Stop Snitching" campaign is still alive and well. There are accusations of bribing witnesses to not testify in a recent beating of a 15-year old. Also, someone might have been shot in the head to be kept quiet.

• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi raises his ugly head.

• Tony Snow will be White House press secretary. Howard Kurtz reports, "top officials assured him that he would be not just a spokesman but an active participant in administration policy debates." Kurtz goes on to write Snow will try "to ease the tensions between this White House and the press corps." He should go beyond the MSM and embrace talk radio and webloggers. It would help the White House re-energize the conservative base.

• Twenty years ago today, a nuclear reactor exploded at Chernobyl.

• Help choose new Monopoly properties from across the country. You can choose Texas Stadium, Wrigley Field, Jacobs Field, and Fenway Park but not Lambeau Field. That's wrong! Come on, Brett's Back.

• Milk is good for unborn babies. Now, the world knows something all us Wisconsinites already knew.

Charlie's Show Prep #82

• The sides of the embryonic stem cell issue are surprising and complex.

• Milwaukee isn't the only place with problem cops. Three Washington County officers have been suspended for turning in false time sheets.

• Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told reporters, "We say that this fake regime [Israel] cannot logically continue to live."

• Tony Snow will be the next White House press secretary. It would be far better and more radical if Josh Bolten didn't fill the position and ended the daily media circus--giving Helen Thomas a reason to disappear.

• The latest literary scandal involves a Harvard undergrad whose response to plagiarism charges is it was "unintentional and unconscious."

TPA is a Test for Mark Green

Let me add a few thoughts to Owen Robinson's take on the TPA's status.

First, Owen's correct that GOP leadership failed to get a common-sense, uncomplicated amendment passed. We shouldn't be surprised with State Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz because he could care less about limiting government (and his own importance). With Speaker John Gard it's a case of being too concerned about one's political future. Gard cares more about winning a seat in Congress than limiting government spending and power. It would have been better for the TPA if Gard would have stepped down as speaker; but that would have hurt his chance at getting Rep. Mark Green's seat. In Gard's political calculation he put his future ahead of the state's. That shouldn't be surprising if you view politicians like I do as fairly rational, self-interested participants in the political economy.

Second, the TPA can be saved. Even with the short amount of time left gubernatorial candidate Mark Green is the closest the Wisconsin GOP has to a leader. Schultz doesn't give a damn about conservatives, Gard is too busy running for Congress, and party leaders Rick Wiley and Rick Graber are too often the two that can't shoot straight. Only Green is in a position to build a unified front to get a tax limitation amendment passed. It's conceivable his campaign could write an amendment that either limits state and local government spending or taxation that isn't a Rube Goldberg document policy wonks, lawyers, and judges will argue over for years. As the flag bearer for the Republicans he could get Gard and Schultz to at least get a vote on the amendment.

If the TPA dies this year like I think it will I won't put the blame on Green. I'm sure he assumed a GOP-controlled legislature could get something passed. The political situation is such that Green could really enamor conservatives. He would solidify his limited government credentials and have something tangible to hold against Gov. Jim Doyle. If the TPA goes down Green can use the issue in the campaign. For Green it's a no-lose proposition.

Owen is right in the title of his post. "Leadership Does Actually Matter." Mark Green has an opportunity to show the state he has the ability to lead by getting his party's act together.

"Leadership Does Actually Matter"

Charlie's Show Prep #81

• There's more evidence the TPA is dead. Speaker Gard just wants something passed in the State Assembly so conservatives don't go ballistic in his Congressional race. He said, "To be honest, I stopped trying to figure out the state Senate."

• Osama Bin Laden talks, but the Sudan and Hamas don't want to listen. Austin Bay sees the tape as an "agitprop error."

• Donald Rumsfeld's "popularity" with military brass precedes the Iraq War and Sep. 11.

• A spending bill on the Iraq War and hurricane relief is rife with pork. Unless they can control themselves, this will be the GOP's electoral downfall.

• Rep. Cynthia McKinney got caught calling someone a "fool." Ms. McKinney needs to find a mirror.

Two for One

WISN's Early Spin has some smart listeners. Dan Deibert posts an e-mail from one:

The mayor lamented the fact that it is difficult to get the poor and minorities on juries because jury pools are selected mostly from the drivers license database, and most of these people do not drive. As a result, juries skew white, and more affluent.

The poor and minorities could be included if everyone had a state issued photo ID (whether it be a drivers license or a regular ID) for voting purposes. This would help to select jury pools that are more representative of the citizenry.

This is a perfect chance to fix TWO problems with one simple solution.

"Great Email From Larry"

Breaking News from the Future

Courtesy of Dennis York:

Thanks to a new program that provides free wireless internet service in the homes of all Milwaukee Public School students, MPS boys have become instant experts in female anatomy, tests show. "The new program has provided previously disadvantaged boys the opportunity to develop their minds, their research skills, and the muscles in their right wrists," said MPS Superintendent William Andrekopoulos.

"MPS Boys Score #1 in Nation on Female Anatomy Tests"

Charlie's Show Prep #80

• 2,897 Wisconsin college students are being denied federal aid because they had a drug conviction. The issue has reached the federal courts.

• Rick Esenberg has a good column on the Jude verdict covering the jury, race relations, and possible solutions.

• The planet might not warm as much as scaremongers would hope.

• Next year Miller will come out with the self-cooling beer can just in case it does get really warm.

Feingold Libels President

Sen. Russ Feingold got plenty of attention for asking the Senate to censure President Bush. It helped to rake in $282,000 for his political action committee. Now, he dropped another "Look at Me!" bomb by libeling him in an ad put out by his Progressive Patriots Fund. In the ad a Karl Rove look-alike tells the President he's the "King of the United States." He then says, "For starters, we should be eavesdropping on anyone who disagrees with you." Fake Rove adds, "It's not 'domestic spying. It's 'terrorist surrveillance.'"

According to Feingold President Bush has considered spying on political opponents. Where's the evidence? There isn't any because that's not what is going on. From all reports the NSA is monitoring terrorist conversations including those with people inside the United States. In Feingold's Daily Kos-fueled world that means Bush is engaging in Nixonian abuses of power. That's libel.

I'm not talking about libel in the strict legal sense. The President is a public figure so people have far more latitude in what can be said about them. Also, to defend himself in court lots of details of the top secret NSA program would have to be released. Still, the ad is "a published false statement damaging to a person's reputation" (Oxford American Desk Dictionary). Since Feingold has offered no evidence showing President has ordered NSA spooks to spy on political enemies the ad meets the definition.

The Confidentials has a good idea. Hey, Russ! Put a sock in it!

"I Can Not Tell a Lie…but Russ Feingold’s Commercial Might Have"

"Someone Save Russ Feingold, From Himself!"

Say a Little Prayer

Kevin Binversie's father needs a heart transplant, plus he's been "poked, prodded, probed" over the past year. The family will endure even more stress. Please keep them in your prayers.

Charlie's Show Prep #79

• The TPA is doomed now that two GOP State Senators (from Northwest Wisconsin, far away from talk radio yappers) will oppose it. That eight-page monstrocity is an example of wonkishness and poor legislative leadership. Daniel at GOP3 devises a scenerio where a delated TPA gets a serious shot at becoming part of the constitution.

• The Journal Sentinel editorial board gently chides Michael D'Amato and Rep. Gwen Moore for objecting to BuySeasons coming to the Menomonee Valley.

• "High-tech products accounted for 23% of all Wisconsin exports last year...."

• There's a Midwest mumps outbreak.

• A study found sex equality corresponds with sexual well-being.

UPDATE: Charlie should really like this one. Jason McElwain's basketball story will be made into a movie.

Charlie's Show Prep #78

• Michael McGee got a restraining order slapped on him. He didn't bother to go court yesterday. He was either too busy trying to get Al Sharpton to Milwaukee or he didn't want to perjure himself again.

• Let the Cudahy Iceport die.

• In Europe webloggers are "important as opinion formers and trend-setters." The same can be said in the U.S.

• Open sources like weblogs are feeding the CIA's information appetite.

• The number of military deserters has been few during this war.

• Yale University is about to hire a Middle East Studies professor who actually thinks the Jews control U.S. policy. [via Power Line]

• Academic Decathalon is saved thanks to Assurant Health.

McGee to Get Sharpton to Milwaukee

The anger after the Frank Jude verdict didn't turn into rage. The last thing Milwaukee needed after the injustice (and what turned out to be a lousy prosecution combined with lying cops) was a further tearing of her social fabric. That disappoints a race-baiter like Michael McGee. He's bummed thousands haven't followed him to hit the streets crying, "No justice! No peace!" He's bringing in an A-list race-baiter, Al Sharpton for added oomph. McGee wants to learn about racial instigation and demagogery from one of the best.

In a press release [PDF] McGee also threatened the U.S. Justice Department to strictly regulate the Milwaukee Police Department possibly even taking it over. If it doesn't McGee says it would be responsible for the city exploding like a "powder keg." That will only happen if people give into the self-promoting exploits of McGee.

This is McGee making a power play. Do not underestimate him. He's learned plenty from his racist father. An empowered McGee will only worsen race relations in Milwaukee.

"McGee Calls in Sharpton"

Charlie's Show Prep #77

• When I think of a new city hall I don't think of new plasma screen televisions. Thankfully, I don't live in Pewaukee where they got three along with over $1 million in cost overruns. Consider this evidence of local government living within its means. No Taxpayer Protection Amendment needed here. [/sarcasm]

• 100 years ago today, San Francisco was leveled by that infamous earthquake.

• Mississippi Senators, both Republicans, want $700 million to move a rail line that was just rebuilt for $250 million. If the GOP wants to lose big time in November they can allow that to happen.

• The Journal Sentinel was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for their feature on Jeanna Giese's recovery from rabies. Congratulations.

• Someone missed out of $850,000 by not turning in their lottery ticket.

Mark Green's "Tax Hell" Speech

Today, Rep. Mark Green forcefully came out for tax and spending controls. It's the first time I can recall a major statewide politician calling Wisconsin a "tax hell."

Many outstate Republicans will be grumbling silently while Southeast Wisconsin conservatives will be cheering. Green sounded like one of "Charlie Sykes Stormtroopers."

I'm stealing the speech from Boots & Sabers since I haven't found it on Green's campaign website. Here's the press release version if you're in a hurry.

In recent weeks, a number of startling statistics have come out that all say the same thing – Wisconsin’s tax burden has us at a competitive disadvantage as we try to attract good-paying jobs and grow our economy.

As thousands of Wisconsinites bring their tax returns to post offices around our state today, they continue to see more and more of their paycheck going to the government.

Our state and local tax burden is one of the worst in the country – nearly ten percent above the national average. While today is tax day, our tax freedom day – the day we stop working to pay taxes and start working for ourselves – is still eleven days off.

When Jim Doyle took office in 2003 our tax freedom day was April 19…this year it is April 28.

We’re going in the wrong direction….and it is affecting our economy.

Only three metropolitan areas lost more jobs last year than the Milwaukee area – and two of those were hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Our workers make less than the national average and our state lost $4.7 billion in net worth in just five years because some of our best and brightest decided to go elsewhere where they can earn more and pay less in taxes.

It’s time to draw a line in the sand. We should no longer allow our tax burden to block our path to prosperity.

Today, I am unveiling both a long-term tax relief plan and a commitment to provide some immediate relief. Elect me governor, and Wisconsin’s days in “tax hell” will be coming to an end.

To ensure the long-term economic prosperity of Wisconsin I believe we need a constitutional limit on taxes and spending.

For generations in Wisconsin, our tax burden has taken too much out of our family budgets and it has literally driven people out of our state.

If we are going to compete for good jobs here, we simply cannot have taxes that are ten percent above the national average.

Constitutional limits are a long-term commitment to lower taxes to ensure better jobs and a brighter future.

A future where Wisconsin is no longer listed among the top taxing states. A future where government spending is finally in line with our families’ ability to pay. A future where our seniors won’t flee Wisconsin’s high taxes, but retire here to spend their golden years with their family nearby.

And, by slowing the growth of government spending and limiting taxes, our children and grandchildren will be more likely to stay here, earn a good living here and raise their family here.

As a dad with young kids, I want that more than anything else.

While constitutional limits are a long-term commitment to lower taxes, taxpayers are in desperate need of protection right now.

Since he took office, Governor Doyle vetoed the property tax freeze…not once…but twice.

The result was an increase in property taxes of over eleven percent in two years and $600 million since Doyle took office.

He shouldn’t have vetoed the freeze…and taxpayers paid the price.

To make matters worse, Governor Doyle’s decision to increase spending by ten percent in his latest budget has left us with a $2.1 billion deficit – one of the worst in the nation. Jim Doyle got elected on a promise to solve the state’s fiscal problems…he’s clearly failed to do so.

Governor Doyle has raided every cookie jar he can find and maxed out the taxpayers’ credit card. He’s spending well above his means and he’s putting our future prosperity at risk.

I’ll take us in a different direction.

The first budget I present to the legislature is going to include a property tax cap. Local units of government will be able to increase their tax levy only to account for inflation and growth – in population, new construction or students. Of course, voters can choose to spend more if they agree to in a referendum.

At the same time we limit local taxes, we’re going to shake things up in Madison by capping state taxes. Any additional tax revenues the state receives above the previous year will be plowed into finally balancing our books and providing tax relief.

If we want to increase spending on a program, or start a new initiative, we’ll have to find the funds by cutting other spending.

Yes, we’ll have to make tough decisions. And yes, government will have to do more with less. Families all across Wisconsin are faced with those same decisions every single day.

But, don’t forget, we’re Wisconsinites.

We have the ingenuity, the imitative and the work ethic to blaze a new trail. Together we’ll reshape our government to make it leaner and more efficient. We’ll demand accountability and we won’t accept mediocrity.

Voters have a clear choice between Governor Doyle and me when it comes to limiting taxes and spending.

I support tax limits – Governor Doyle does not.

My plan will get Wisconsin out of the heat of tax hell, and into a much more comfortable, and prosperous, climate!

If you agree with me that we need tax limits, then I hope you join our Green Team. Together, we’ll make Wisconsin great again.

Charlie's Show Prep #76

• Some Applebee's workers went to an immigration rally last month without giving their boss notice, and they're now crying to the feds. There's something to be said for accepting the consequences for one's convictions. Not in this age of victimization.

• Mike Nichols gets it right: Michael McGee as spokesman for the Jude case anger will not be taken seriously.

• Today is Tax Day. I'm sure most of you are like Congressional leaders on tax policy who pay others to do their taxes.

Milwaukee in a Post-Jude World

Thankfully, anger at the Jude verdict hasn't resulted in violence. Wisconsin Avenue isn't ablaze. Maybe the sad news of the discovering of Quadrevion Henning's and Purvis Virginia Parker's bodies tempered people's passions. Or maybe Good Friday did it. Things could have gotten very ugly.

What is ugly is the relations between the Milwaukee Police Department and the community it's sworn to protect. The Code of Silence that allowed three ex-officers to get away with brutally beating a man tells the public the police is above the law. Any hope of near-term progress in countering the "Stop Snitchin'" culture vaporized with Jude verdict. I don't envy Police Chief Nan Hegerty or Mayor Tom Barrett.

There will be heightened tension between Milwaukee's whites and blacks since the Jude jury was all white, the defendants are white, and Frank Jude is mixed race. It's understandable, but I hope the focus is placed on the conflicting testimony of the police at the scene. Someone was obviously lying. A jury must believe the evidence is beyond a reasonable doubt to convict. Rich Esenberg writes, "Eyewitness identifications are not as certain as people believe them to be and the defense must have kicked up enough doubt about them given the fact that the prosecution witnesses were drinking, may have identified the defendants only after their picture was in the paper, etc." Our legal system places the benefit of the doubt on defendants. Because of that injustices can and will happen.

I'm more than willing to speak out against the injustice that occured. I just won't do it anywhere near that race-baiter Michael McGee. Owen Robinson writes,

This verdict will also serve to prop up the race warlords of Milwaukee – those who derive their power from racial hatred and anger. The McGees, Pratts, and Holloways of the world are going to be bolstered and strengthened. Every time these folks are strengthened, it weakens Milwaukee.

The WTMJ radio yapping trio comment on a podcast.

Police Found Innocent in Jude Case

Badger Blogger is reporting all three former Milwaukee police officers were found innocent in the Jude beating case. The jury is deadlocked on one count. Here's hoping the anger at that injustice doesn't turn into violence.

"Jude Beating Trial (Not Guilty)"

Charlie's Show Prep #75

• The road builders say there isn't enough money for southeast Wisconsin highways. I weep--not really. Want to talk about waste? Does it make sense putting four lanes on Hwy 53 between Eau Claire and Superior? I've driven that stretch countless times. It isn't a sprawling growth area in need of more transportation dollars. Still need more cash? Shut down UW-Superior.

• Six retired generals want Donald Rumsfeld's head on a stake.

• Only one-in-five Americans have a favorable view of Islam. [via OTB]

• In Pennsylvania, there's a contrast in university reactions to students' voicing their concerns about immigration. [via SCSU Scholars]

• A certain still-unnamed GOP rep who called southeast Wisconsin conservatives "stormtroopers" hasn't shown his feathers yet.

• A grand jury is examining if Barry Bonds perjured himself when he testified about steroids use.

Charlie's Show Prep #74

• Stop the presses! The Journal Sentinel editorial board and I are on the same page. We both think the TPA needs time to be digested. Where we disagree is the lousy track record of growing state government means some strong restriction is necessary.

• An Iraqi stringer taking pictures for the AP may have been captured by American forces with a cache of weapons.

• The White House goes after a Washington Post story about supposed mobile Iraqi biolabs.

• They're protesting Playboy in Indonesia, but the mag doesn't have any nudity. Even better, "its photos of women in undergarments are less risque than in other magazines already for sale in the country." [via In the Bullpen]

• MySpace just hired someone to oversee law enforcement, safety, and privacy.

Charlie's Show Prep #73

• The Taxpayer Protection Amendment (TPA) is turning into a monstrocity. Problem #1: it's 2000 words long. Problem #2: State Rep. Jeff Wood tossed in a new element to control increases in local government workers' pay. I'm all for controlling government spending, but this is turning into more centralization in Madison. Problem #3: Wood is in such a hurry to get a vote on the TPA he's not giving legislators enough time to study it. Problem #4: "29 different types of revenue" are exempted from an amendment intended to limit government revenues. Problem #4: it's 2000 words long! Owen Robinson critiques the cast of characters. Can you say B-movie?

• Donald Rumsfeld to the press: "You think I’m going to stand around reading your books and validating or not validating them? I have a day job. If I disputed all of the mythology that comes out of this group [gesturing towards press pool], I’d have no time to do anything else." [via RWN]

• If Iran's president wasn't nuts I'd say mutually assured destruction might contain that nation's nuclear threat. However, yesterday, they were dancing over their success in enriching uranium. Call it the UF6 two-step.

• From Oct. 2003 to Nov. 2005 the Social Security Administration handed out at least $5.1 billion it shouldn't have.

In Kathleen Falk's Wonderland

Only in the wacky world of Madison, WI would it make sense for Kathleen Falk to run to be the state's top cop while praising herself for helping illegal aliens avoid the law. I wonder what other laws Falk would not enforce?

"Eyes Wide Shut"

Charlie's Show Prep #72

• A few Illinoisians are buying vacation homes in Milwaukee. As long as they don't turn the place into another Door County or Lake Geneva Flatlander money in the local real estate market is fine with me. What we're seeing is a trend of Chicago and Milwaukee merging. Let's name it Milcago. Economies, transportation, and the need for affordable living spaces are uniting the region. That's why it makes perfect sense for Milwaukee to join with Chicago in a regional bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

• The anti-Wal-Mart crowd joined up with bank lobbyists to express their concern for the giant retailer possibly getting into the banking business. Call it the Red-Green coalition. Red because the Wal-Mart bashers hate capitalism and Green because the banks are shaking in their boots that more competition could be on its way. Or think of the Red as Target who wouldn't mind their competitor being at a disadvantage since the Minnesota-based retailer owns a bank of its own.

• Get ready for 24 the Movie. If you can't then see The Sentinel in a few weeks.

Don't Insult Me

Which is better, being a "Neo-con Zombie" or a "Charlie Sykes Stormtrooper?"

I'm with Chris and would like the out-state Republican to have the guts to tell me I simply take marching order from a talk radio yapper. I want him to tell me my concerns for smaller government and lower taxes are less important because of where I live.

Mr. Nameless Republican needs to understand we are loud conservative voices who want conservative policies advanced. Since the GOP is the more conservative of the two major parties that's whose train we have to hook up to. I'm a conservative before a Republican. If I thought there was a chance to advance conservative ideas with the Democrats or a third party I'd jump at that. In other words, I'm not beholden to the GOP. The party will forget that at its political peril.

There are obviously political differences because of our geographic and economic perspectives. For the most part we're on the same side. The GOP is the best of choices. We need each other to elect Mark Green as governor and to have a Republican take the Attorney General office. The GOP will need Southeast Wisconsin conservatives to get the gay marriage amendment passed this fall and the TPA passed if it ever gets through the legislature.

To the Wisconsin Republican Party here's some helpful advice: you'd be better off with me to be for you than against you. I'm not being arrogant. My little corner of the internet isn't a 50,000 watt radio station. But I can still cause you a lot of pain and annoyance. Just push conservative ideas and you'll be just fine.

"The Great Divide"

Charlie's Show Prep #71

• The Doyle administration is collecting stories about their accomplishments. This is news? An editor must have required something about the governor's race in today's issue.

• A.N.S.W.E.R. will be organzing an immigration rally in Washington, D.C. Webloggers crashed a meeting and heard some interesting comments. [via Power Line]

• Those seeking Dutch citizenship will have to watch a DVD that includes topless women and men kissing.

• Joe Lieberman, the GOP's favorite Democratic Senator, might run as an independent if he doesn't win the Democratic primary.

• The Christian Coalition is a shell of its former self.

Holloway Squashes Investigation

Lee Holloway gets his investigation quashed. The chairman and vice chairman of the Milwaukee County Ethics Board both resigned in frustration. Brian Fraley has the timeline of how Holloway played "hardball."

It's like the county board doesn't remember the corrupt Tom Ament years. Except this time Citizens for Responsible Government is around to continue the fight [DOC].

"Milwaukee's Ethics Meltdown"

Charlie's Show Prep #70

• Building new companies is how Wisconsin's economy will grow. Easing tax and regulatory burdens are very important. Also important is funding start-ups. NeoClone is an example of 21st Century investing methods.

• How about Wisconsin State University instead of UW-Milwaukee? A name change would create a school identity distinct from the state's flagship university in Madison. I'd prefer renaming it the University of Milwaukee. It's an university linked to the city, more so than Wisconsin as a whole. There is precedence: the University of Memphis previously was named Memphis State University. If you're a close Cheddarsphere reader you'd already know about the idea.

• Badger hockey is one win away from another national title.

Charlie's Show Prep #69

• State Rep. Frank Lasee no longer supports the Taxpayer Protection Amendment due to a "technical amendment." State Sen. Glenn Grothman told Owen Robinson it was a mistake.

• Only New Orleans, Gulfport, MS, and Detroit lost more jobs in the last year than Milwaukee.

• Numbers don't lie even in Iraq.

• Every once in a blue moon Sen. John Kerry makes some sense. He's wrong about calling for withdrawal from Iraq by the end of the year. But he does makes sense with his plan for a 05.15 deadline for Iraq to form a government. I sense signs of dependency. If Iraqis think war supporters like myself will support the U.S. military as a substitute for Iraqi forces they're wrong. James Joyner disagrees.

• Kathryn Jean Lopez: "Let's question the instinct that would keep our most vulnerable from a new season of life."

• Katie Couric is going to CBS. Ho-hum. Expect the evening news to be Oprah-fied. What would have been refreshing radical is if CBS had announced the end to their nightly news.

• Brett Favre isn't making friends by waiting on his retirement decision.

Fairy Tale

Someone's dreaming at Ask Me Later.

"Wouldn't It Be Grand...."

Charlie's Show Prep #68

• To summarize the anti-war referendums: they won in a bunch of small towns (got 18 votes in Couderay) as well as anti-Bush strongholds (La Crosse and Madison). Political science professor John McAdams analyzes the returns:

  But this sort of analysis can hardly be a comfort to the anti-war movement. Genuine staunch opposition to the war ought to get people to the polls. In this case it didn’t.

• Today would be Booker T. Washington's 150th birthday. He was an amazing and very wise man. His words and ideas transcend race, politics, and time. Go get a copy of Up from Slavery. It's a quick, worthwhile read. LaShawn Barber has more on the man.

• Geraldo isn't fond of Wisconsin possibly lowering the hunting age. He pulled out a gun in New York City and asked a kid what he thought.

• Panama wants to enlarge the Panama Canal so it can accept bigger cargo ships.

Republican for Socialized Medicine

A Republican who sponsors a bill for socialized medicine. If that doesn't make you a Republican In Name Only (RINO) I don't know what does. Jenna's has the details.

"A Republican Introduces Socialized Medicine"

Charlie's Show Prep #67

• Rep. Tom DeLay will leave Congress. No loss to me. He was a big-spending Republican. However, expect him to becomes a very powerful lobbyist. He's spent years building connections and handing out political favors. He'll be cashing them in. The short-term lesson is for local Democratic prosecutors to launch politically-motivated investigation of GOP Congressional leaders. If there's some smoke, as in DeLay's case, they just might force a few more into resigning. The "Democrats' politics of personal destruction" isn't good for the body politic, not that what DeLay did was great either.

• It's Election Day in Wisconsin. Bring photo ID to the polls if you haven't registered lately. In the race for my Washington County board representative I don't like either candidate. Both Gerald Schulz and Allen Blank approved of extending the county's half-cent sales tax.

• The Cheddarsphere gets it first scalp.

• Patrick McIlheran found an environmental nut more morbid than Eric Pianka. A Finn named Pentti Linkola advocates eugenics, totalitarianism, and dictatorship all in the name of population control and protecting the earth from the evil humans.

• The UAW could only get 30 people to show up to protest the Delphi CEO. A sign of labor impotence?
  

Charlie's Show Prep #66

• Sen. Feingold loves those friendly audiences. Listening sessions rarely bring together people with various views to debate. On Fox News Sunday the senator actually said President Bush's action were worse than President Nixon's abuses. Let's see: possible law-breaking in the hunt for terrorists is worse than attacking political enemies. That only happens in Feingold's world where he thinks he could win the Presidency. Ann Althouse comments. Then there's Tom McMahon's take on Wisconsin's junior Senator.

• The U.S. and the U.K. might have permanent bases in Iraq. The U.S. has had bases in Germany and Japan decades after those countries were invaded. Troops will leave if they're not wanted and it doesn't damage national security. That's what happened in Saudi Arabia.

• The digital revolution doesn't stop. Movie studios will begin really pushing online downloads of movies.

• Desparate Housewives isn't as good as it used to be. Then I don't feel bad I've fallen behind in watching it. Missing an episode of The Sopranos would be really bad. I could get wacked.

Smart Candidate

You'll notice to the left J.B. Van Hollen is advertising on TAM. That's no endorsement. I'm neutral. J.B.'s campaign put up the dough just like any advertiser can. I haven't followed the attorney general race closely, but I've heard good things from both Van Hollen and Paul Bucher. With the end of the GOP governor's primary more attention will go to the AG race. Van Hollen vs. Bucher will be good to watch but not as much as the slug-fest between Democrats. Kathleen Falk and Peg Lautenschlager.

When the Perfect is the Enemy of the Good

With Scott Walker out of the governor's race there's been some Mark Green bashing on local weblogs. Charlie Sykes doesn't offer any links (tsk, tsk; the most important thing about the web; being on vacation is no excuse) so I'm going to assume most of the criticism has been in the comments. After Walker dropped out I knew some people were bummed. Many have quickly come around. Even Chris at Spotted Hourse knows the ultimate goal is to beat Gov. Doyle, and Patrick at Badger Blogger thinks "Green is a great candidate."

To Walker supporters still upset with Green here are two words: chill out. The guy's a conservative. He's voted to cut taxes, control spending, ban partial-birth abortion, and require photo ID at the voting booth. Compare that to Jim Doyle.

It's obvious the Green campaign has to reach out to conservative Southeastern Wisconsin voters who really liked Walker. Since I think he's a smart guy who will do what it takes to beat Doyle I have no doubt he'll do that. All I ask of you Green critics is to keep an open mind. Breathe in, breathe out, then imagine four more years of Governor Doyle.

YIKES!

"Newsflash: Green is Better than Doyle - Much Better"

A Quibble with a Quibble

In Daniel Suhr's round-up of coverage of Scott Walker's exit from the governor's race he quotes TAM and gripes against "some (self-righteous) finger-waving at Mark Green" with regards to my complaint with Rep. Mark Green's ethanol stance.

Later on he doesn't think Green will campaign to the middle now that he won't have a primary opponent. He uses as an example Green not caving to the "right-wing on ethanol even as he was getting pounded on both talk and paid radio." Does Daniel think government requiring gas to contain 10% ethanol to be a conservative position? Such interference in the free market doesn't sound like the conservatism of Goldwater, Reagan, or Gingrich. It does sound like President Bush's Big Government conservatism which also includes massive increases in educational and social welfare spending along with trade protectionism.

Ethanol has been my primary concern with Green. I'm a conservative first, then a Republican. If Green pushes policies I don't consider conservative I will call him out and oppose them. No candidate will agree with me 100%. If I wanted the perfect candidate I'd run myself. I was no Walker sycophant. In fact, until he dropped out I didn't endorse either GOP governor candidate. When comparing Green and Doyle there's no question who I support. As I wrote last Friday, "On school choice, on taxes, on spending, on government regulations, on ethics Green is superior. For that I'm endorsing Rep. Mark Green for governor of Wisconsin." Ethanol isn't a deal breaker. Green wants to end Wisconsin's image as a tax hell and improve the business climate. If he pulled that off I probably could swallow an ethanol mandate. Politics is the art of the possible. There's a clear choice in the election. Voters can choose the conservative Rep. Mark Green or the liberal, ethically-challenged incumbent governor.

"Quibbles with Commentary"

Kane's Bait-and-Switch

First, Eugene Kane wants certain members of the Wisconsin blogosphere to "Get some backbone or get out of the blogosphere." He complained about some webloggers (i.e. Jessica McBride) who don't allow comments. Ironic from a pathetic excuse of a weblogger who doesn't have weblog comments of his own (start griping to your employer if it's so important). I guess McBride's prominent listing of her e-mail address doesn't count. (It's actually in a bigger font than Kane's.)

Now, Kane decided he's superior because he gets letters to the editor and does webchats. It's no longer about comments. I'm still waiting for that coward to send me an e-mail or leave a comment. Hell, I'm still waiting for him to understand that being part of the blogosphere is linking to other webloggers. It's called being polite, a trait he rarely displays in his published words. He's still a weblogging newbie so I'll cut him a little slack. Even big media voices have to earn respect in the blogosphere. Kane has a ways to go.

Mission Accomplished

Sen. Russ Feingold wanted attention to "force" him to run for President in 2008. So he decided President Bush needs to be censured. He did this without talking to any fellow Democrats. It wasn't a part of an overall strategy to weaken the President. It was self-promotion. Well, it worked:

A Newsweek poll taken March 16-17 found that 50 percent of those surveyed opposed censuring Bush while 42 percent supported it, but among Democrats, 60 percent favored the effort.

"Feingold's Censure Call Gives Him Boost"

Silence Blocks Finding Missing Boys

News about the two missing Milwaukee boys hasn't been found on TAM because I didn't have anything to add that you couldn't find in the newspaper or on television. Now, the story has gotten interesting along with being tragic:

Police now believe people who know something about two missing Milwaukee boys are withholding information that could lead to a major break in the investigation.

"We have reason to believe there are individuals with information that is pertinent to this investigation who for reasons unknown to us right now aren't coming forward," Milwaukee police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said at a Friday afternoon briefing.

While two boys' lives are at stake people with vital information are running a personal "Stop Snitching" campaign. They may be proud of their bravado or fear for their lives, but families are in pain. They want to know what happened to their children.

"Somebody Knows, Somebody Saw Boys, Police Say"

Walker Calls it Quits

It will be Rep. Mark Green versus Gov. Jim Doyle this fall. Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker bowed out of the race citing a failure to reach fundraising goals:

"I give my full support and endorsement to my friend Mark Green," Walker said in a speech prepared for a 5th Congressional District audience at the Country Springs Hotel. He released a copy of his remarks this afternoon to the Journal Sentinel.

Walker, who entered the race officially in January 2005, pinned his withdrawal on a failure to meet ramped-up fundraising goals designed to compete with Doyle’s expected biggest-ever campaign war chest.

"It became clear to me that our fundraising totals would only allow us to run a campaign in a fraction of the 72 counties in this state," Walker said. "In addition, our resources would be so limited that most of it would likely be spent on ads attacking our Republican opponent." He called that an "unappealing option for me" and one that would only bolster Doyle’s re-election hopes.

"In the end I love this state too much to see Jim Doyle elected to another term," Walker said. "A campaign that does not focus on Doyle before the primary will almost certainly insure his re-election. To me, that outcome is unacceptable."

Walker said his campaign fundraising fell short of keeping up with Doyle’s record-setting pace, revealed in the late-January campaign reports. Walker said a new minimum goal he set for the end of March was "unfortunately" not reached.

Still I defintely prefer Rep. Green to Gov. Doyle. On school choice, on taxes, on spending, on government regulations, on ethics Green is superior. For that I'm endorsing Rep. Mark Green for governor of Wisconsin.

People are talking over at the Badger Blog Alliance.

"Walker Withdrawing from Governor's Race"

UPDATE: Here's Walker's withdrawal speech.

UPDATE II: Owen Robinson recorded Walker's speech tonight.

Charlie's Show Prep #65

• A Hong Kong company will operate a radiation detector for cargo destined for the U.S. at a port in the Bahamas.

• Someone found a way to make ethanol out of cheese waste. An ethanol mandate is inevitable when you unite special interests such as farmers with cheesemakers.

• Tensions in the Far East grow. Japan cut off its loans to China.

• Someone help me figure out what Ted Thompson is doing. He has a chance to build the Packers in his image, but he's not signing anybody. Ryan Longwell goes to Minnesota, but he offered a similar amount of money to Adam Vinatieri. Now, with Mike Vanderjagt in Dallas the kicking pickin's are getting slim. Mike Flanagan ran off to Houston which leaves a hole in the middle of the offensive line, and Tony Fischer went to St. Louis because the Packers didn't even offer him a new contract.

• I want to become famous like Dick Cheney just so I can have all my hotel televisions tuned to Fox News upon arrival.

On High Altert

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT get between Sen. Russ Feingold and a reporter. Think "Hulk smash!" if you do, and that's from either direction.

I'm just warning you.

"Alert Level Raised to HIGH"

Charlie's Show Prep #64

• President Bush found Abdul Rahman's possible death sentence "deeply troubling," and will use American influence "to remind [Afghanistan] that there are universal values."

• When people like Robert Samuelson, far from being a firebrand conservative, opposes a guest worker program it will be very tough for the President to get it through Congress.

• Business done at strip clubs will be a thing of the past for Wall Street firms.

• The FEC's online political speech regulations have been delayed until next week.

• "Today is the fourteenth anniversary of the death of F.A. Hayek -- the greatest social scientist of the 20th century." Hayek happens to be my intellectual hero.

• A real-life version of The Terminal took place in Chicago. A Romanian who overstayed his visa may have been living at O'Hare Airport for months.

RNC Ad Spanked

FactCheck.org slaps the RNC for its Sen. Russ Feingold-bashing ad. Emi Kolawole writes,

[Feingold's] resolution would censure Bush for the way in which he ordered wiretaps, not for the wiretaps themselves. It would condemn him for "unlawful authorization of wiretaps of Americans within the United States without obtaining the court orders required " (emphasis added), and also for "failure to inform the full congressional intelligence committees," and for "his efforts to mislead the American people" about the legalities of the program.

President's interpretation of his constitutional authority is reasonable and certainly does not constitute the type of criminality and wholesale disregard of the law that would warrant censure.

"RNC Mischaracterizes Feingold's Censure Resolution"

Charlie's Show Prep #63

• President Bush called Sen. Feingold's censure idea "needless partisanship." Russ loves this attention along with (bad) RNC radio ads. He says Republicans "have something to hide." The grandstander really likes them because it keeps on generating free media for himself brings in money to his PAC. Yes, Sen. Campaign Finance has a political action committee.

• The Bush administration's response to the possible execution of Abdul Rahman, an Afghan Christian, was tepid. Yes, Afghanistan's cooperation is very important in the Islamist War, but one must speak out against such injustice.

• Today is judgement day for political speech on weblogs. The FEC will release internet campaign finance rules. I'll be thinking of Sen. Feingold when TAM has to move to Russian web servers to escape the U.S. government.

• Northwest Airlines and Midwest Airlines were behind the idea of turning control of Mitchell International Airport to a regional authority. Midwest will be in hot water after Milwaukee County gave it $14.3 million in credit in 2003 to prevent the airline from going bankrupt.

• Single-sex classrooms: wave of the future?

• The most promising season for the Brewers in a long, long time will start with ace Ben Sheets on the disabled list.

• Microsoft is pushing back Windows Vista to 2007.

Lousy Anti-Feingold Ad

It's great the RNC is running radio ads against Sen. Russ Feingold. He deserves all the ridicule he gets. However, the ad is awful. With slightly scary music in the background a voice monotonously tells us Feingold and the Democrats are weak on fighting terrorism. Big time snoozer. I fell asleep half-way through it. It was a good idea, but bad execution. Amateurs could do a better job. Do any of my readers want to take a crack at making their own Feingold-bashing ad? If you give it a shot, send me the file. I'll host it and give you lots of love (if it's any good of course).

Or if you have little audio editing talent (like me making podcasts) then leave me a voice message below. All you need is a microphone connected to your computer.

President of the Kosites

Congratulations to Sen. Russ Feingold. He's the far Left's choice for President beating Wesley Clark and whupping Sen. Hillary Clinton. Glee fills Bill Christofferson:

Russ Feingold is President of Daily Kos blog by a wide margin. Not a representative sample, by any means, but not a bad place to start for someone who's willing to run as a progressive.

"Feingold Wins the Netroots" [via Right off the Shore]

Slapping Russ

Patrick McIlheran goes off on Sen. Feingold. To sum it up: Feingold is full of himself.

"Everyone Likes to Listen"

Charlie's Show Prep #63

• We must give Sen. Feingold credit. His censure grandstanding is still giving himself and his embryonic Presidential campaign plenty of free media. We now got reaction from people attending his listening sessions. When the Q&A revolves around whether Feingold will run for President you shouldn't be surprised the audience supports censure.

• Conservative base roiling begins. The RNC will start running ads against Feingold and his censure resolution.

• Rep. Gwen Moore questions whether a costume company should move into the Menomonee Valley. To her no new jobs in Milwaukee is better than those not meeting her criteria.

• Power Line deconstructs a paper on how "The Israel Lobby" supposedly led the U.S. into Iraq and caused Sep. 11.

• On a related note President Bush warned Iran the U.S. will "use military might to protect our ally Israel." The lobby strikes again!

• The House of Representatives is on pace to be in session for only 97 days this year. Some people think that's a bad thing.

• Sharon Stone demonstrates she lives in la-la land.

Defending TPA

It's new to me so I'm linking to Rick Esenberg's pro-Taxpayer Protection Amendment op-ed from last week. He makes some great points including this:

For example, tax-limitation opponent Andrew Reschovsky has run the numbers and claims that, had the amendment been passed in 1985, state government in 2003 would have had 30% less to spend.

One is tempted to say that this is not a problem, that it is the point.

If the cost of state government over the past 30 years has grown by 30%, more than what would have been required by inflation and increases in population, then we are buying "more" government today than we were in 1985.

No problem, says Reshovsky, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He claims that government revenue has not increased as a percentage of state income. We can "afford it."

For some, the answer to the question "how much does the government need?" is "how much do the taxpayers have?"

I look at it differently. If I am paying more, I want more. I'm funny that way. Are the roads better? Are the schools more effective? Have we pulled more people out of poverty? I am skeptical.

"Spending Control Isn't Monstrosity" [via Rep. Frank Lasee]

Charlie's Show Prep #62

• War protests, war protests everywhere. They cry, "Leave Iraq!" Well, if the U.S. did then there certainly would be a civil war. Then the Bush-haters would scream, "Why didn't you do anything?" With these people President Bush knows he won't win. So he must continue on the course he thinks is right.

• National Republicans can't agree on an election strategy for this fall's elections. It used to be Tip O'Neill's maxim that "all politics is local" ruled. My how Newt Gingrich changed things.

• Two House Democrats see Sen. Feingold's desire to censure President Bush as a waste and "somewhat self-serving."

• Archbishop Dolan prevents a liberal Catholic group from holding a meeting in his cathedral.

• The third-annual National Black Marriage Day will be celebrated in Milwaukee 03.25.06.

• From the "Europeans are crazy about soccer" file: The Liverpool team apologized for their fans attacking Manchester United fans with human excrement, coins and food." And we're worried about bird flu.

Don't Roll Out the Red Carpet

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, your not-so humble host will be making an appearance at the "Inaugural WisPolitics/WisOpinion Blog Summit." Sorry, I won't be tossing candy. Instead I'll be seeing how many Hershey's kisses I can toss into Aaron's mouth while he's griping about ethanol.

My gripes with the event are known. At the summit I promise to try to be a good boy. Key word is "try." As a veteran of weblogging conferences I've found the conversations away from the panels and speakers are the highlight. Putting a face to a weblog is great. There's instant camaraderie because we already know so much about other webloggers' interests and how they think.

If things get really dull, as in Ed Garvey droning about the greatness of Bob LaFollette, it's off to the hotel bar for me and whoever I can drag.

I hope to see many of my Wisconsin readers there.

Crushing Dreams

Everyday I come across a statement in the new that I laugh at. It usually is some kind of spin or melodramatic hyperbole that makes me question if the intended audience will fall for it. Talking about how some policy will "help the children" is a prime example. While I just mock the speaker to myself Dennis York turns this stuff into "must-read weblogging."

"Damn You, Tax Code!"

Charlie's Show Prep #61

• An incompetent Milwaukee poll worker failed to notice the bold "offender" label on a prison I.D. and allowed a convicted felon to vote last November.

• The controversial V for Vendetta comes out today.

• Mike Wallace will retire from 60 Minutes. As this NewsBusters post points out his most infamous moment came when he declared himself a journalist first, then an American.

• Expect huge drops in World Baseball Classic ratings (they couldn't have been that high to begin with) since the U.S. was eliminated by losing to Mexico. America isn't the king of America's Pastime anymore.

Charlie's Show Prep #60

My vacation was officially over when I stepped into work yesterday. Charlie Sykes can once again sleep a little longer knowing I'm helping him out with his show prep.

• It's amazing that an out-there loon like Sen. Russ Feingold is on his fifth news cycle for his censure resolution. It must be a slow news week. Senate Democrats think his idea is radioactive. Even the Journal Sentinel editorial board thinks Feingold is a political moron and his idea of censure is "unfair." Russ got what he wanted. Not only did he get plenty of free media, but he's been declared "Leader of the Democratic Party" by Lefty weblog MyDD. Who's going to break the news to Howard Dean, M.D.? Here's the first comment of that post: " love Senator Feingold, can I please have him instead of traitor Lieberman????" Russ is cornering the wacko vote.

• A local think tanks sees Milwaukee's inability to feed from the public trough as a reason for the area's economic ills.

• And old coot Madison professor was fined $50 for threatening to blow up his health insurer.

• With Sony announcing a delay in its Playstation 3, I declare Microsoft winner of this generation of video game wars.

• Arianna Huffington gives her side of the Clooney "blogs but not really" flap. Her excuse: blame the publicist. Still intellectually dishonest. [via Ed Driscoll]

• Yea! The whales are going away.

Ah, yes. My last chance.

It's been wonderful hanging out with the Wisconites (Wisconsonians?) this week. But I don't feel I've been sufficiently irritating, so I'd just like to point out that my dairy lobby can beat up your dairy lobby.

(Actually, my dairy lobby is obnoxious, if you want to know the truth. They're like the mafia ova heah.)

Media Darlings

Owen Robinson and Jay Bullock were interviewed about Sen. Feingold's ridiculous censure resolution. Good job by both. And as luck would have it they'll both be talking at WisPolitics' "Blog Summit."

"Owen on News At 10"

Scott Submerges Censure

Scott McClellan brushed aside Sen. Feingold's censure attempt calling it something "to do with 2008 politics." That something, as Brian Fraley notes, is getting a rise out of the Left end of the blogosphere.

Let's give the media whore credit: he's gotten two news cycles out of this.

"W.House Dismisses Democrat's Call for Bush Censure"

Jensen Railroaded

State Rep. Scott Jensen will go to jail for campaigning using taxpayers' funds. Granted, he broke the law, but doing so was par for the course. Former Assembly Democratic Party Leader Shirley Krug for current Gov. Doyle campaign staffer Rich Judge were never dragged before a court. Jensen wasn't even allowed to mention to jurors Democratic activities were the same as his. Is that fair? Shouldn't jurors be allowed important information to understand the environment of the state capitol at that time?

There's no way Jensen's case should have ever gone to court. With the extent of the abuses that took place in the capitol a more sensible method of enforcement would have been through legislative ethics committees, media reports, and elections. What we have now is similar to the police pulling one car over for going 65 in a 55-zone while ignoring the hundreds of cars passing by. How are people, even legislators, suppose to behave toward a law that rarely or selectively enforced?

"Both Parties Blurred the Line of Campaign Work" [via Charlie Sykes]

The Living Dead That is Ethanol

Ethanol is turning into a political zombie. It was just killed by the state senate, but it just won't die:

[State Senator] Dave Zien is requesting an extraordinary legislative session from Gov. Jim Doyle when the Senate reconvenes in late April to investigate gas prices and revive legislation on ethanol and minimum fuel markups.

In the elections this fall much of the focus will be on the governor's race. We can't forget to ask state legislative candidates their stance on an ethanol mandate. It shouldn't be the issue that makes for breaks an candidate, but it could be a sign of how small-government they are.

"Zien to Work to Re-Introduce Ethanol Mandate"

Isn't He Already

A lawyer in La Crosse is arguing that his 13-year-old client should not be convicted as an adult for a crime he committed because,

...he likely would come back from prison as a sociopath or psychopath, the teen’s counselor told a judge Wednesday.

Testifying at a hearing on whether the case should remain in adult court, Norbert Laufen-berg said sending Haessly to prison — where he would face the possibility of physical or sexual abuse — would make him a greater threat to society.

His crime? He murdered his mother by choking her when she took away a "squeaky dog toy" from him.

Isn't he already a sociopath or a psychopath? Seems like it.

According to the ADA in La Crosse county,

Adequate treatment is available in adult institutions, and the maximum three years of incarceration and two years of supervision in the juvenile system would not be appropriate punishment...

But this lax sentence is not enough for this kid's counselor. For the crime of strangling and killing his mother,

neither adult nor juvenile corrections would work. Instead, the state needs to find the teen a stable foster home where he can get consistent counseling, he said.

Sick.

Lucky Me

Had I tossed around the term "RINO" too loosely I'd be the butt of one of Dennis York's jokes. If you're a reader of the conservative Wisconsin blogosphere read this and try not to laugh.

Speaking of York vote for him for MKE's "Blog of the Week." It's a no-brainer.

"Charlie Sykes - King of the RINOS" [via Brian Fraley]

Walker's Ethanol Ad

There isn't much difference between the two GOP governor candidates. So Scott Walker has to take advantage of anything that differentiates him from Rep. Mark Green. He tries that with his new radio ad on ethanol. It not only goes after Green's stance but also ties it into Gov. Doyle. It's not a bad ad, but Walker can ditch the Gettysburg-style soundtrack.

"The Merits of Limited Government"

UPDATE: I didn't notice a trifecta before I left for work this morning. A software upgrade will have to come sooner than I expected.

Charlie's Show Prep #59

• Imagine if Brett Farve suddenly died? Now, you know how Minnesota feels with the death of Kirby Puckett. Kirby embodied the spirit of the Minnesota Twins. Kirby was the kind of player you always knew would put up great numbers. He lived baseball, and we all loved watching him play it. Godspeed, Kirby.

• U.S. intelligence says very deadly IEDs in Iraq are from Iran. A cassus belli?

• Repubican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner questions the AT&T-BellSouth merger. I told you so.

• The Dubai Ports World deal is just one example of increasing Middle East investment in the U.S. That's just the globalized world we live in.

What's My Name?

Last time I checked I have a name. It's even displayed multiple times on my weblog. Hell, every single post that I've written has my name attached. It seems the Spice Boys, super-duper investigative reporters they are, were too lazy to add those 13 letters to their post on my little spat (not a "mini-war") with Charlie Sykes. Fire that intern! They're slacking off instead of earning that all-important "hands-on" experience.

"Hell Has Frozen Over"

P.S. It's "The American Mind" not "the American Mind." And Spiceblog ain't much of a traffic generator. Of course I'm used to Instalanches. (For Spivak & Bice, that means a link from Glenn Reynolds' Instapundit weblog.)

Back on the Ethanol Bus

Scott Walker is back to harping on Rep. Mark Green about ethanol. He writes,

One issue is a concern all over the state, and one that surprised me a bit, is the ethanol mandate.

Sure, I expected that in southeastern Wisconsin. We lived under an EPA mandate on the kind of gas we must use for more than a decade. "Gore Gas" has been a sore spot since the mid-1990s. Higher prices and engine troubles are frequent complaints from the EPA mandate.

...

Interestingly, people all across this state seem to agree with my opposition to the mandate.

"Ethanol"

Charlie's Show Prep #58

• There's one Milwaukee County supervisor who sees salvation in more taxes.

• Tommy Thompson doesn't publically talk about possible future campaigns unless he's really thinking about it. Rep. Mark Green and Scott Walker should be a little concerned.

• ABC News' expert said, "We're in a civil war now; it's just that not everybody's joined in." Ralph Peters, who is in Baghdad, is looking everywhere for it. His best line, "Perhaps the view's clearer from Manhattan. It could be that my background as an intelligence officer didn't give me the right skills."

• Two great sports stories: Michael Redd is on the USA national team; and Ahman Green signed a one-year deal with the Packers.

• WTMJ's John Mercure has gone weblog wacky.

• The spin has begun as to why Brokeback Mountain didn't win the Best Picture Oscar. Larry McMurtry said, "Perhaps the truth really is, Americans don't want cowboys to be gay."

Good Additions to "Blog Summit"

Wow, whining pays off.

Two more leading Wisconsin bloggers have been added to the March 18 inaugural WisPolitics/WisOpinion Blog Summit to talk about the blogging phenomenon.

Panelists Owen Robinson of Boots & Sabers and Jay Bullock of folkbum's rambles and rants, joined by other citizen bloggers, will discuss ``Why blog? Defining the phenomenon from a citizen bloggers' perspective'' as part of an afternoon program focusing on the impact of blogs on politics and government in Wisconsin.

Bravo to WisPolitics for fixing the problem. They could have easily been stubborn which would have led to bad blood.

Now, it looks like I'll have to try really hard to attend.

"WisPolitics: Inaugural WisPolitics/WisOpinion Blog Summit Adds Citizen Blogger Discussion" [via Right off the Shore]

Conservative Opinion on Gays

The Right is evolving. In my short lifetime attitudes toward homosexuals has gone from snickers and using "gay" as an insult to placid acceptance. Whether that's good or bad is another question. Much depends on who you ask. Me, I'll work, laugh, talk to them, and treat them like any other human beings. Just don't expect me to accept that lifestyle as morally legitimate as a hetrosexual one. As for marriage I'm in the camp of getting the state out of the marriage business replacing it with civil unions that encompass homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. I'm not out on a limb too much. Donald Sensing wrote something similar along with James Joyner.

This leads to Chris' at spottedhorse post on gay marriage. There's a concern about such couples adopting children. He doesn't have a problem with that:

Here is a question for my friends on the right who are against Gay Marriage.

If you had to choose which would you pick a baby being aborted or growing up with "gay" parents.

To me its a very easy answer Abortion is a crime against humanity and any time it can be made not to happen it is a win for humanity.

I guess what I am trying to say in my rambling way is A GOOD HOME IS A GOOD HOME.

Since webloggers' views are early indicators of political and cultural views don't be surprised if the same-sex marriage amendment on November's ballot goes down or, at the very least, squeaks through.

Blog Summit Reaction

One milestone for the Wisconsin blogosphere is the one Charlie Sykes noticed:

A press release from a candidate for governor focusing solely on the reaction of the blogosphere.

Another way to know a weblog community has "arrived" is when individuals are knee-deep in navel gazing. The Badger blogosphere has reached that point. It started with Owen Robinson and I whining offering forceful critiques of the upcoming WisPolitics "Blog Summit." Kevin Binversie felt "jaded." Patrick at Badger Blogger notes that what was missing from the summit were the "real grass roots Bloggers, the citizen journalist that has made blogging what it is today." There's been plenty of discussion at the Badger Blog Alliance [here, here, and here]. Summit panelists Professor McAdams and Brian Fraley (who I think was smart enough to buy some TAM advertising space sometime back) weigh in.

If I didn't make myself clear in my previous post I am not insulting or putting down any webloggers on the summit panels. I read most of them and love their contributions. More smart people writing good stuff is always better than less.

Telling a little of TAM's history will let you know why the initial summit line up set me off.

I've toiled on my little part of the internet for over six years. I've written short posts, long posts, important posts, not-so-important posts. TAM started out as a simple text file of HTML that I uploaded to a server once or twice a day. TAM version 1.0 was ugly and a far cry from the slicker, more reader-friendly weblogs running now. I started TAM because I am a writer, and publishing on the web allows me to get my thoughts in front of an audience without having to know a newspaper editor, book publisher, television producer, or talk radio call screener.

Since I'm a writer I want two things: 1) I want a place to be published; 2) I want readers. Lots of readers. For me weblogging isn't just about the intellectual challenge to write something insightful, intelligent, or (occasionally) funny it's about the egoboo. Egoboo stands for "ego boost." When I'm linked by other webloggers and websites and have my material mentioned on the radio it's a high. I love that feeling, and I want more of it.

It's annoying when a newbie weblogger pops onto the scene and is an instant hit. It's frustrating when you think you're putting out material that's as good as another certain weblog but you only get 1% of their traffic. Traffic and links are the currency of weblogs. It's how we keep score. It's a sign of respect. The initial list of participants in the weblog summit showed there was a lack of respect for those weblogs that have laid the ground work for the blogosphere today. Professor McAdams writes,

Second, remember C.C. Colton's dictum that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." The fact that lots of people other than you pioneers are getting into blogging is a huge tribute to you.

I admit I'm sucking on some sour grapes. Do you blame me? TAM is one of the oldest Wisconsin weblogs and no one bothers to ask what the blogosphere was like in 1999. No body remembers Robot Wisdom, the Instapundit of his time. Persistance doesn't always pay off. Which shows I write for more than traffic, money, and chicks. Weblogging is fun. Obsessive, yes, but still fun.

Now, before this post gets too ungodly long I want to address Jessica McBride's concern that critics are bashing summit participants. I don't think I put anyone down except for WisPolitics who is organizing the summit. If anyone has a beef with me it's Ann Althouse because I compared her to Judith Miller. McBride is mentioned for her short time as a weblogger.

There's a difference between webloggers with an audience from their other work and webloggers like me who appeared out of no where like a quantum particle. In McBride's case I believe she was on Charlie Sykes' television show before starting her weblog. (If I'm wrong she'll let me know.) Even if that wasn't the case she knew Sykes and that was a way for her to get traffic. Reporters, lobbyists, and news junkies know Ed Garvey, Brian Fraley, and State Senator Mark Pocan. Professor John McAdams is a prominent figure on the Marquette University campus and has been on Sykes' radio show. Sykes has a radio transmitter to tell the area about his weblog. Their experiences as webloggers are much different than those of Owen Robinson and myself. Neither of us are journalists. We didn't immediately have people curious about our writing.

That doesn't make McBride, Sykes, et al any less "real" than more veteran webloggers. More voices in the blogosphere mean more readers and more interesting reading.

I've found out the WisPolitics gang heard the complaints and are trying to fix it by adding more webloggers. They're learning which is commendable.

The real downside is after all my bitching I might not be able to attend. I'm one of those who has to work on Saturdays. Getting a day off at this late a date isn't impossible but it isn't a sure thing. Scheduling the summit on a Saturday shows me WisPolitics partially understood the populist nature of weblogging. That's another plus in their corner. I'll do my best to be at the summit. With all the talk about it so far we know it won't be boring.

Sad Excuse for a Weblog Summit

Mark March 18 on your calendar. Why? Because Brian Fraley said so. WisPolitics is hosting the inaugural WisPolitics/WisOpinion Blog Summit. Here's the line up of famous, semi-famous (this is the blogosphere we're talking about), and notables:

• Ann Althouse
  
• Charlie Sykes
  
• Ed Garvey
  
• Brian Fraley
  
• State Rep. Mark Pocan
  
• Jessica McBride
  
• John McAdams
  

Let me inform the powers that be that the beauty, interest, and dare I say it, power of the blogosphere isn't from people already involved in politics and media jumping onto the "next big thing." Its power comes from empowering voices of people who previously didn't have a voice or the ability to be easily heard.

Ann Althouse is smart and has a good weblog (she's on my blogroll), but she doesn't take on Wisconsin issues. She comments on national and international issues and rarely links to Wisconsin webloggers. She's not involved with the Wisconsin blogosphere be able to address the state of it. I don't want to have this sound like an insult toward Althouse but it's like Judith Miller keynoting the conference announcing Pajamas Media to the world. WisPolitics must have felt they needed some "big-name" weblogger to give their summit heft and Althouse is conveniently over in Madison.

Who's missing from the list above? There's not a single member fo the Badger Blog Alliance on that list. It's only the most important collective in the Wisconsin blogosphere. It's members gave life to the Milwaukee voter fraud story last year.

One person who would be perfect for the summit is Boots & Sabers' Owen Robinson. For state issues from a conservative perspective there's no better place to go. The guy not only has connections, is passionate, and can write, but he also does a darn good job speaking.

Or how about letting Fred at RealDebateWisconsin talk about how he turned his weblog into a one-man investigative reporting department by digging into Voces de la Frontera's harassment of State Senator Cathy Sepp?

Now, I'll look at how long the panelists have been in the blogosphere. State Sen. Pocan has only been posting since 01.03.06. Garvey has three years under his belt. Althouse, two years. Sykes, three-and-a-half. McBride, eight months. McAdams, consistently one year. Fraley, three months. TAM has been running for over six years. 74 months to be exact. That compares to a combined 127 months of those "vaunted" summit participants. That averages out to a little over 18 months of weblogging experience per weblogger.

Who has a better perspective? Who has the experience dealing with a new medium without having an already-existing audience from which to get readers (Althouse excepted)?

I do not blame the participants one bit for attending. If WisPolitics invited me to speak I would have jumped at the chance. My gripe isn't with the webloggers. It's with a mentality that can't see new, unique voices beyond what's in front of your face or who you're talking to on a daily basis.

P.S. [I'm starting to feel like Mickey Kaus] Who will be the weblogger of the year? I'm confident it will be one of the people above. It certainly isn't me, and after publishing this post my chances of ever getting it are less than zero.

Did I Go Too Far? Part II

Charlie Sykes replies to my previous post:

Sean obviously believes that consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.

He writes: "If I were Reynolds I would have demanded Sykes directly accuse me of being anti-Catholic. If he would have refused I would have demanded an immediate apology. If none was offered I would have hung up."

Well, if I were Ann Coulter I would have demanded that Sean directly accuse me of being an anti-Muslim bigot. If he would have refused I would have demanded an immediate apology... etc."

I didn't accuse Reynolds of anti-catholic bigotry: I ASKED HIM THE QUESTION and gave him the opportunity to respond. I gave him the chance to repudiate Ovadal's anti-Catholic bigotry. You can listen to the exchange and make your own conclusions.

And yes, the Reynolds' connection is more than simply the printing. It includes the attendance at the conference.. which I referred to, when I asked him about his wider association.

Sean is quibbling.

Sean, who has no problem denouncing others, apparently objects to asking a question that gives others the chance to clarify their position. I missed his interview with Ann Coulter where he asked her to defend her self or gave her a chance to claridy her position.

So I guess I agree with him, but object to his execution. (heh.)

For the record: I am not at all convinced that Reynolds is, in fact, NOT anti-Catholic, since he declines to disasociate himself from Reynolds.

I must be the only person who was confused at the conversation. I listened to the Sykes-Reynolds exchange again. It still sounds like the Ovadal link came out of the blue. That may be because Reynolds called Sykes out of the blue. There just wasn't enough context for me. There was no reminder of his attendence at an Ovadal homosexual conference. For not remembering all Reynolds' extremist behavior I plead guilty. If I'm "quibbling" when I care about the logical process of discovering someone's core attitudes than I'm guilty of that too.

With the reaction from other BBA members I feel like I'm in right field (pun intended) on this one. It wouldn't be the first time.

A few years ago a liberal weblogger accused me of supporting Jim Crow laws. Since I wasn't even born when Jim Crow was in effect I knew the charge made no sense. In an e-mail I demanded an apology. I never got and haven't spoken to the person since. Maybe the best lesson I'll take from this is to begin my private accusations through less public mediums.

P.S. Ann Coulter is an anti-Muslim bigot. If she wants to discuss that with me I offer her plenty of space on my weblog.

Charlie's Show Prep #57

No need to mention anything about obvious stories like the school voucher vote and Steve Avery.

• Milwaukee's public smoking ban has been stalled...for now.

• Congressman James Sensenbrenner lets us know how many violations of civil right were caused by the Patriot Act. Bush bashers won't be happy.

• Congressmen are going over the deep end over the Dubai Ports World deal. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) doesn't want foreign firms investing in certain infrastructure. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) said, "While I strongly support our open investment policy and recognize that it is vital to our national economic interest, I do not believe it should stand at any cost." The fools forget we're a part of a globalized economy.

• A New Jersey nurse who killed 22 people was sentenced to 11 life sentences.

• Where did the Washington Post get their 1300 dead number?

Did I Go Too Far?

This morning, I was very harsh with Charlie Sykes for how he treated State Senator Tom Reynolds. I called it a "cheap shot." Sykes responds:

Sean:

It was not a cheap shot.

Reynolds is quite selective in choosing who he does printing for. He does not print material for groups whose views he disagrees with. His association with Ovadal, actually runs deeper, including his participation in Ovadal-run conferences. And, yes, if a liberal who printed material for NAMBLA was running for office, I would expect that he would be asked about it, especially, if he also supported the groups' other activities.
The issue has been raised by the left; and will be an issue this fall.
The problem is that Reynolds is an extremist and it does no good to try to pretend that he's not a wingnut, simply because he often votes right. I asked him the questions and gave him the chance to respond. You can hear the questions and the answers on my website.

Charlie

I'm not backing away from what I wrote. I can only put myself in Sykes' and Reynolds' shoes. If I were Reynolds I would have demanded Sykes directly accuse me of being anti-Catholic. If he would have refused I would have demanded an immediate apology. If none was offered I would have hung up.

Accusing someone of bigotry demands evidence, not guilt-by-association. Charlie mentioned Reynolds participated in Ovadal-run conferences. I didn't hear that on the radio today. It's mentioned in a Spivak & Bice story from two years ago. My memory isn't that good. That's a much stronger piece of evidence to Reynolds' extremism. Just going after a business relationship isn't enough to me because if someone wanted to they could connect me with wackos of whatever stripe. One could make the argument that I endorse questionable currency speculation because one of this weblog's sponsors wants you to buy Iraqi currency. One could claim Sykes was a racist because his mentor was the late Michael Joyce who provided funding for Charles Murray's research on The Bell Curve. Sure it's very indirect and has little authority, but the danger with guilt-by-association is many will run with their initial impression.

If I were Sykes I would have questioned Reynolds about attending Ovadal-run conferences and would have ignored any of his printing work unless the material was anti-Catholic. Like the knee-jerk opposition to Dubai Ports World I want substance and actual facts.

Charlie is correct that the Right needs to attack its wack jobs and drive them away. From the time William F. Buckley kicked out the John Birch conspiracy nuts the movement has had a history of policing its own. Conservatism is a movement of reason, order, and decency. Bigots have no place in our big tent. Calling muslims "ragheads" has no place nor does Catholic-bashing. Sykes' intention is good I just didn't like his execution.

Teresa Halbach's Death Detailed

Evil can be found anywhere, even near the place I grew up. Teresa Halbach's horrible, gruesome death shocks and saddens me.

Be wary, the reports are graphic.

Charlie Went Too Far

State Senator Tom Reynolds reiterated on Charlie Sykes' show that he wants his amendment put into the school choice compromise. He drafted it and sent it off to Governor Doyle's office to see if he'd sign the bill with it. Expect Doyle to reject the amendment. He'd love nothing more than to claim he tried to fix the problem and blame it on the Republicans. Reynolds is falling into this trap.

Reynolds has not backed down from voting against the compromise unless it's dirtied up with his amendment.

Then Sykes tried a little guilt-by-association to browbeat Reynolds into voting for the bill. He questioned him about a Pastor Ovadal who has anti-Catholic views. Reynolds prints a homosexual pamphlet for the man.

Reynolds sounded quite surprised, and countered by asking if a lawyer opponent would be considered a supporter of pedophilia if she was hired by a child abuser. He right. Every view of Reynolds' customers isn't his responsiblity. He only has control over what he does. If Sykes wants to paint Reynolds as anti-Catholic he needs to offer evidence and not resort to a cheap shot.

Reynolds isn't getting off the hook. If the school choice bill falls because Reynolds votes against it I will oppose him for re-election.

Charlie's Show Prep #56

• State Rep. Leah Vukmir will run against State Senator Tom Reynolds if he votes against the school choice compromise and it dies. If that happens I'll be one of the first to donate to the Vukmir campaign.

• The death last October of an Oklahoma University student was probably a botched terrorist attack.

• Reactions from justices at a Supreme Court hearing can seldom predict the decision. However, a few of them understood the common sense notion that politics is involved in congressional redistricting. Scalia kept up his reputation as funniest Supreme Court justice by blurting, "Wow. That's a surprise. Legislatures redraw maps all the time for political purposes."

• Scott Walker has a tough tight rope to walk. Due to sweet pension and retirement benefits that put him into office he talks about "potential insolvency." With him running for governor any help from Madison won't come this year.

• Ricardo Pimentel and the gang don't mind forcing ethanol on Wisconsin drivers.

Senate Ethanol Vote

It doesn't appear there will not be one today, but from Owen Robinson's sources Senate Majority Leader Dave Schultz wants to force a vote soon.

"They Have The Votes"

Charlie's Show Prep #55

• Getting an Abbott Labs facility would beef up Wisconsin's biotech sector and help Gov. Doyle politically by showing this isn't such a bad state for business.

• In the short term, the breakdown in NFL labor talks could mean free agency buying opportunities for the Packers. However, if no deal is reached and the salary cap is nixed the players union has said they will never agree to go back to one. That would put the Packers at a serious disadvantage.

• A monster in Washington County got 20 years for raping a 5-year old. Brian Homz did it to get back at the girl's mother.

• Spivak & Bice take some cheap shots at J.J. Blonien. The two literalists can't understand hyperbole. The also pulled out some quotes from his columns that are pointed but hardly radical. But why is Blonien helping a judicial candidate who is described by S&B as "a political moderate with liberal leanings on social issues?"

• President Bush made a surprise visit to Afghanistan.

• Yesterday, I passed on that 1300 people died from Iraqi sectarian violence. Silly me, I trusted the MSM.

UPDATE: The great Dick Bennett will retire from college coaching after this season.

Reynolds' Bad Politics

It's important not to make the perfect the enemy of the good. Unfortunately on the school choice compromise that's what State Senator Tom Reynolds is doing. Tonight, on Jessica McBride's show on WTMJ he said he wouldn't support the compromise unless it included some indexing that would help Milwaukee property taxpayers. I wasn't sure what he meant, and even he admitted it was hard to explain.

It's good to be on the constant defense for taxpayers. Madison has too few representatives who do that, but the school choice bill isn't the time or the place. It's a toss-up on whether the State Senate will pass the bill. Governor Doyle has done nothing to get Democrats on board. The only Democrat who has said he'll vote for the bill is Jeff Plale.

Last night, McBride wrote,

He might be right on it in principle. But adding bells and whistles into the choice compromise could doom it. Other Republicans are telling me that this amendment is highly unlikely to pass the Senate (as indicated by the vote today in committee), and that it would likely doom the choice compromise in the Assembly, where rural Republicans feel they can't risk being seen as funneling more money to Milwaukee.

I'll echo McBride, "Get this compromise through first."

TPA Public Hearing Tomorrow

Tomorrow there is an important public meeting in Pewaukee on the Taxpayer Protection Amendment. Here are the details provided to me by Americans for Prosperity:

Who: Senate Select Committee on Taxpayer Protection Amendmentand Assembly Committee on Ways and Means
Date: Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Country Springs Hotel, Woodfield Room, 2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee 53072
Topic: Senate Joint Resolution 63

Expect public employee unions, teacher unions, and those that refuse to believe local government can restrain its spending. Defenders of taxpayers' pocketbooks need to come out in force.

Owen Robinson will be there. I won't, but I'll be there in spirit.

Charlie's Show Prep #54

• Dick Cheney leaving the White House after the mid-term elections? That's the rumor. All it is is a rumor, but it's fun to play "Cheney's Replacement."

• With a headline reading, "Paper: Coast Guard Has Port Co. Intel Gaps," I thought Dubai Ports World opponents might have a leg to stand on. John Hinderaker points out later on in the story the Coast Guard's concerns were placated by intelligence agencies.

• 1300 people died in last week's violence in Iraq. However, "Life is coming back to normal in Baghdad and marketplaces and offices are open again after being shut for 4 days."

• The Red Cross spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to brand the organization's CEO, to get mentions on tv shows, and to court celebrities. [via Captain's Quarters]

• Ricardo Pimentel and the gang didn't rip on the late Michael Joyce. But they did call Milwaukee's voucher program "so-called school choice." What makes it "so-called?" With it poor families can choose what school to send their children. It sounds like choice to me.

• Gee, I missed some fun at Martinifest. Rowdiness and puking. But with the low state of modern art it might be difficult to determine if you're looking at art or someone's vomit.

Michael Joyce: a Tribute

When National Review's John Miller wrote A Gift of Freedom: How the John M. Olin Foundation Changed America it gave him the opportunity to talk at length with Michael Joyce who ran the Olin Foundation before moving to the Bradley Foundation. Miller briefly collects a few of Joyce's accomplishments.

To have a glimpse into Joyce's influential mind I found this essay "On Self-Government" which attacks the progressive liberal project of the 20th Century. He concludes:

And so today, when progressivism says to us that there is no nature’s God, and so no divinely inscribed "self-evident truths" in the human soul, let us reply that without such truths, there is no sure foundation for human freedom and self-government. When progressivism insists that the human being is utterly free to create or express himself without limits, let us reply that "there can be no moral freedom without moral responsibility and accountability," and no political freedom without civic virtue. When progressivism insists that family, neighborhood, church, and voluntary association are parochial and repressive constraints on our self-expression, let us reply that only through such institutions can we as free people "exist, develop, and seek the higheer purposes of life in concert with others," and come to a proper understanding and practice of self-government.

With our past as the foundation of our hope, let us embrace this new struggle over the meaning of self-government, as the means by which we may once again refresh our flagging spirits at the wellsprings of our national character. Not daring, at such a critical moment, to rely solely upon our own arguments and devices, let us join Pope John Paul II in his prayer that "our country will experience a new birth of freedom, freedom grounded in truth and ordered to goodness."

"Michael S. Joyce, R.I.P." [via Charlie Sykes]

Still a Snob

The JB Van Hollen campaign just "informed" me JB has a weblog. Obviously my e-mail address is on one of their media/weblogger lists and no one checked to see I already commented on the weblog. Nothing like an impersonal e-mail to make a weblogger feel special.

To be an equal-opportunity snob (since I have no horse in the state Attorney General race) Paul Bucher's weblog doesn't have permalinks to individual posts and no post authors listed. If I were interested in a post I'd like to directly link to it. And I'd like to know who wrote the post. If it was Paul, great. If it was a staffer, fine. I just want to put a name to the words. Another negative is many posts are squeezed together. The design reminds me of the first version of TAM when I hand coded it and uploaded it to Angelfire every night.

Bucher makes up for the weblog with CatchandReleaseKate.com. The concept is well thought out and it's substantial enough to be more than an online cheap shot.

Charlie's Show Prep #53

• Lefty weblogs love Sen. Russ Feingold. That's news only to those who don't read weblogs. (Yes, another example of me being a snob.)

• Michael Joyce is a legend. Maybe the most-important conservative figure of the last 25 years no one has heard of. I know there are many conservatives who don't know who Joyce is and what he accomplished while running the Bradley Foundation. Some on the Left know his impact.

• Iraq's curfews have been lifted. There's still bloodshed but Sunni and Shia leaders are calling for unity.

• Pessimism has captured Bill Buckley. He writes, "the American objective in Iraq has failed," and has no faith in Iraqis' ability to self-govern. [via QandO]
  

Charlie's Show Prep #52

• The public isn't fond of the UW system. No surprise.

• The State Senate gave Gov. Doyle a "Real ID" bill. Will he veto it and prevent Wisconsinites from using their driver's licenses to board planes, or will he cave to the illegal immigrant lobby?

• A Jackson monster used an electric dog collar on his stepdaughter so she would eat her breakfast faster.

• Wal-Mart's getting railroaded by labor unions and state governments. So CEO Lee Scott said his company will do more to get more workers health insurance. I worry about Scott's desire for a government-business partnership to fix the healthcare system. To me that screams socialized medicine.

• Alex Massie is right, curling "rocks." [via Tom McMahon]

• Some are complaining about the new James Bond. Me, I'll be staring at the new Bond girl.

When Wackos Strike

Some anti-war protesters didn't think Sen. Herb Kohl is pure enough:

The activists asked Kohl to endorse a timetable for troops to withdraw from Iraq as fellow Democratic Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold has done. They also called on Kohl to vote against a supplemental spending bill that includes about $72 billion more for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The group surrounded Kohl following his introduction by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Libby Burmaster. Kohl was preparing to make brief remarks before debuting a 10-minute campaign video to a crowd of about 150 supporters in the theater's lobby.

Instead, Kohl stood and listened attentively to the activists as his supporters looked on in disbelief.

#1 Difference Between Walker & Green

Scott Walker correctly points out the biggest difference between Rep. Mark Green and himself is on ethanol:

The biggest philosophical difference between the two of us is on the ethanol mandate. While I support farmers (I grew up in a rural town and my mother was born and raised on a farm), I don't support mandates. Incentives are great, but don't mandate the type of gas that we must use in Wisconsin.

Owen Robinson checked the State Senate calendar and saw "no Ethanol on it."

"WTMJ AM 620 Success"

Charlie's Show Prep #51

• A bill that would end paying Milwaukee police accused of crimes passed a State Assembly committee. The police union is already threatening to sue.

• The bombing of Askariya shrine doesn't bode well for stability in Iraq.

• The Washington Times gives a clearer picture of how valuable the United Arab Emirates has been post-Sep. 11. A big port, a big airfield, and an important location (across the Persian Gulf from Iran) make me understand why the Dubai Ports World deal was allowed to go through. Too bad the editorial page sees nothing good about the deal.

• The feds required a secret condition to the ports deal: on-demand access to operations records.

• Harvard is a divided campus with president Larry Summers' resignation. Now, watchers wonder what direction the university will take.

Walker vs. Green I

Charlie Sykes did very well by hosting the first on-air debate between Rep. Mark Green and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. Through much of the debate/discussion I couldn't see glaring differences between the two. Both are conservatives, generally, want to lower taxes and get government off our backs. For conservatives and Republicans trying to figure out who to support the ability to win is the most important criteria. Walker can tell us all he wants that he's been attacked by Doyle flunkies for years the ad put out by the Greater Wisconsin Committee means Green is the front-runner. Polls give him the lead and his support is more state-wide.

Still, there is one big difference between the two: ethanol. Walker won't mandate that gasoline contain 10% ethanol while Green would consider it as long as it didn't burden business. But that's exactly what mandates do. Green worries about our gasoline dollars funding terrorists. If consumers are so concerned about that then they'll consider that at the gas pump. A state mandate rips away that ability to choose. It takes away people's self-govenance. Ironically Green later said he opposed smoking bans in bars and resturants because people have free will. So he thinks they can make decisions about second-hand smoke but can't for what they put in their cars.

I harp on ethanol because Walker and Green are very similar. They both want to cut taxes, control spending, and improve Wisconsin's business climate. Either man will be a much, much better governor than Jim Doyle.

Gov. Doyle, being a wimp, didn't bother to accept Sykes' invitation. I guess he didn't want to be on the same stage as the man who will replace him.

Charlie's Show Prep #50

• 44% of voters don't want Hillary Clinton to run for President in 2008. 48% want Condi Rice to run. I'm going to have to reevaluate my mental preparation for a President Hillary.

• Republicans in Madison strike again in their quest to remove any sense of limited government from their party's mantra. The State Senate passed a bill required 10% of Wisconsin energy to come from renewable sources. It's like mandated ethanol: if it's such a good idea consumer will drive companies to do this. Sen. Tom Reynolds will end up being right that this will only lead to higher energy bills.

• Sen. Herb Kohl began his re-election campaign by showing off his new DVD. I wonder if there's any director's commentary?

• Larry Summers is resigning as president of Harvard.

• Gitmo prisoners "had contact with the terrorist cell responsible for carrying out last July's London bombings." Yes, let's close the place up and let the monsters out to kill some more.

• Owners of Vivi, the show dog that got loose at Kennedy Airport in New York are so desparate they're resorting to psychics' help.

UPDATE: Silly me. Charlie Sykes has been a little busy today.

Charlie's Show Prep #49

• The local NAACP chapter tosses out the race card by declaring the vote to remove corrupt Lee Holloway as Milwaukee County Board Chairman as tantamount to a "lynching." Holloway then has the audacity to try and squeeze the ethics board investigating him by cutting off funding.

• Eugene Kane admits he only watches the Winter Olympics when black people are competing. I'll be cheering for Shani Davis, not because he's black, but because he's good. Just imagine if a white columnist, talk radio yapper, or weblogger wrote they only watched the NBA when white people were on the court. They'd be castigated with Kane yelling the loudest. It's shameful the Journal Sentinel continues to pay for his racist words.

• What does McDonald's get for admitting its French fries contain wheat and milk products? Lawsuits. Why bother? Companies get sued either way.

• Dubai Ports World's plans to run six U.S. ports is even more dead. Republican governors Pataki and Ehrlich oppose it. Stick a fork in it, it's done.

• Though a vile "historian" David Irving being sent to an Austrian jail as a holocaust denier places a black mark on free speech in Europe.

Charlie's Show Prep #48

• Dubai Ports World's bid to run six U.S. ports is doomed. Screaming politicians and webloggers were bad enough but a Miami company is suing.

• A British Islamic scholar sees a future where "parts of English cities which are controlled by Muslim clerics and which follow, not the common law, but aspects of Muslim sharia law."

• People are suspicious about Jimmy Johnson's Daytona 500 victory. It might have something to do with the fact his crew chief was kicked out off the race track earlier in the week for cheating. [This will proabably be the only mention of NASCAR on TAM all year. Soak it up.]

• Speaking of cheaters, Barry Bonds decided to retire before deciding against it.
  

Found Him

I knew that stalker sneaking around my house looked familiar.

Smaller Local Government in Name Only

On shrinking local government Jessica McBride worries:

If we can't get government officials to adhere to the conservative principle of smaller government in the most conservative county [Waukesha] in this state, we are in big trouble.

"The Bloated Waukesha County Board: It Takes a Lot to Support those 35 Supervisors"

Beware of the Red Marching Hordes

The Glorious Red Shock Army is marching upon Waukesha. They'll stand even less of a chance than Carroll College did against undeated Lawrence University.

Now, that's the way old Soviet propaganda should be used, mockingly. It's much better than Johnny Weir and his naive fondness for all things Russian.

Charlie's Show Prep #47

• The White House has agreed that Congress should pass a law allowing the NSA's controversial spying program.

• Sen. Russ Feingold is being extreme again Despite the Senator claiming the renewal of the Patriot Act was being "rammed" through Congress 96 Senators voted to end debate. At least the Kosites will still love him.

• An attempt to get a pro-war question on the ballot failed in Whitefish Bay.

• A bill is working its way through the state capitol that would stop paying Milwaukee police officers who were suspended and charged with crimes.

• No charges will be filed in Vice President Cheney's hunting accident. And there's even worse news for the MSM: Harry Whittington could leave the hospital in a few days.

• Journalism professor Jay Rosen sees how Cheney's hunting accident displayed the administration's far different approach to the MSM. This administration (rightly) believes the MSM is another special interest that doesn't necessarily represent the public. Bush is the first President to understand the new information age. If they want to get their message out they don't need to rely on the liberal, east coast media. There's talk radio, Fox News, webloggers. They treat the MSM like packets treat obstructions on the internet: they route around them.

Pretty Pictures

Ann Althouse's snow pictures make mine look like those made by a six-year old given his first Polaroid camera.

Well Stocked

Don't worry about me being trapped in my home during the storm. I've got some food to keep me alive.

There'll be no version of Alive here.

Don't forget to laug read about Wendy's trek into the snow.

Now I Know How NYC Felt

What was I thinking?

Theoretically I was to work this morning. I went through my normal preparations, brushed off my car, and got on the highway. From my house it looked like traffic was moving fine. Only when I started zooming south did I notice visibility was less than one-quarter of a mile with snow blowing all around me. After pulling over at the first exit I called it to let the boss know I wouldn't be coming in. He told me everything was fine down there (30 miles away), just rain.

So I turned around and came back home, slip sliding all the way. A little shoveling was done when I heard of all things thunder. Thunder during a snow storm. I've lived in Wisconsin's winter wonderland almost my entire life, and I've never heard thunder during a snowstorm. Snow is now coming down at about one inch per minute. Our wimpy winter has gone the way of the dodo.

Mother Nature has giving me a free day. Hmm... what to do? My only real priority is to move some snow around. The rest is up to me. One thing I can do is get a good start into Glenn Reynolds' new book An Army of Davids.

UPDATE: It's 52 degrees in New York City! Get some of that over here.

There are more pictures below the fold.

Charlie's Show Prep #46

• George Will delivers the toughest words from any conservative on the White House's NSA spying arguments. He calls it a "monarchical doctrine" but urges Congress to "make all necessary actions lawful by authorizing the president to take those actions, with suitable supervision."

• Vice President Dick Cheney took responsibility for last weekend's hunting accident. The Journal Sentinel's Tim Cuprisin writes, "It's no surprise that Cheney picked Fox News Channel and its Washington managing editor, Brit Hume, to break his silence." After the White House press corps went goofy Monday I'd avoid them too.

• Lawrence O'Donnell (of The West Wing fame) started the "Was Cheney drunk?" meme floating inside the heads of Bush bashers. Hugh Hewitt called him on it. O'Donnell mentioned Chappaquiddick six times. Poor Teddy.

• The Huffington Post wants to destory what little credibility it has by insinuating Cheney was on the hunting trip with his mistress who happens to be the ambassador to Switzerland.

• Drudge reminds us Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid hid his mini-stroke from the press for three days.

• Republicans are fighting to keep earmarks in the budget process. Some people just don't get it (and shouldn't be called conservatives).

• A Louisiana congressman might be indicted. Yes, shocking.

• American media shows new Abu Ghraib abuse photos but won't show the Muhammad cartoons.

• Some Canadians think it would be a good idea to erect a statue in honor of Vietnam War draft dodgers.

Charlie's Show Prep #45

• Washington County supervisors fail to protect taxpayers by keeping the half-cent sales tax for five more years.

• The Badger Herald reprinted one of the infamous Muhammad cartoons. Some Muslim students aren't pleased. At least they didn't burn anything down. Editors for a University of Illinois student paper have been suspended for running the cartoons.

• The only ones who really care about Vice President Cheney's hunting accident are an anti-Bush press corps and comedians. Yet it's now become "a defining moment for Cheney." Paul Begala decided to don some hunting gear and make a joke out of it. These people want to be taken seriously?

• Republicans are happier than Democrats. Conservative Republicans are even happier.

• Rufus won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Charlie's Show Prep #44

• The push for the Wisconsin Taxpayer Protection Amendment begins Wednesday with a hearing of handpicked groups for and against. I'm wary of a 9-page 2500 word amendment. The eloquence of the U.S. constitution this isn't. But Americans for Prosperity approve.

• Washington Post writer (he no longer deserves the title "reporter") Dana Milbank went on MSNBC in hunting garb. I would hope the Post's editors will have the good sense to publish him only on their op-ed page. Blanton at RedState wants the MSM "to get over yourself."

• Want some real news involving a Vice President or at least a former one? AlGore bashing America in Saudi Arabia.

• An Iraq War veteran popular with hardcore Democrats and who has criticized President Bush was pushed out of running for the Senate.

• Batman vs. al Qaeda.
  

Charlie's Show Prep #43

Back in Wisconsin means it's back to the grind. No offense, Charlie.

• With the NSA spying flap Democrats are offering a way to not have a constitutional battle with unintended consequences. Rep. Jane Harman and former Senator Tom Daschle both said the NSA's actions are necessary. The way out of this is for Congress to pass a bill clearly allowing warantless wiretapping that's currently happening. The President could sign it but still claim he has executive authority. He'd treat the law like all Presidents treat the War Powers Act. This argument isn't so much politics as a battle of egos. The Democrats think they finally have an issue to really hurt the President with (they don't), and Karl Rove loves labeling Democrats as "soft on terrorism."

• Immigration is a big issue in the conservative movement. If you read TAM a few days ago you'd already know that. If you read the right side of the blogosphere you'd know the issue has been simmering for a while. Still, Craig Gilbert writes about how Republicans could be harmed. Noteworthy is Rep. Paul Ryan calling CPAC participants "more isolationist, protectionist, not pro-immigration." That's true of an event that still treats Phyllis Schlafly as a rock star. Ryan mustn't be looking for friends on that side of the movement.

• Ann Coulter's "raghead" remark goes international with this article in the Financial Times. Again, thanks for nothing, Ann.

• Republicans, Republicans! will criticize the Bush administration's Hurricane Katrina efforts.

• A number of tech companies will explain their China policies before Congress.

• I was almost going to thank Eugene Kane for this column chastising those who turned Coretta Scott King's funeral into a Bush bashing rally. I was going to until the last paragraph: "Sometimes, you can't keep folks from acting out. Particularly when they think they have a darn good reason." He's hopeless.

• Expect a fatawah against the internet to be released today.
  

Actions Not Words

Gov. Jim Doyle would sacrifice unborn humans for Wisconsin jobs.

Wisconsin, Doyle said, is a leader in research on the medical benefits of stem cells, which carries strong potential for commercial application in the pharmaceutical industry.

"There are states all over the country that are desperately trying to catch up to us," Doyle said.

Doyle told reporters after his speech that legislative proposals to restrict stem cell research would hurt efforts to develop jobs from that research.

While the promise of a stem cell industry in Wisconsin is far in the state's economic future the governor ignores recent events that will have an economic impact much sooner. An Alcoa executive spelled some of them out:

But Wisconsin also carries some disadvantages in competing with other Midwestern states for business investment, said Wilkinson, who is vice president of Alcoa North America's public strategies group.

[Tim] Wilkinson told the audience that the state's advantages include an availability of real estate for business expansions; improvements in the tax and regulatory structure, and dedicated, smart people who work in the economic development field.

Disadvantages, he said, include high energy costs; taxes that remain relatively high; questions about the long-term commitment to funding highway improvements; and publicity from recent rulings by the state Supreme Court on product liability and medical malpractice issues.

"Wisconsin Must Stay at Forefront of Stem Cell Research, Doyle Says"

Asterisk Candidates

With black candidate Lynn Swan and Ken Blackwell having legitimate shots in governor's races Charlie Sykes asks the Journal Sentinel editorial board, "If they win, will they be African-American 'leaders'.... or asterisks?"

[Crickets chirping]

"Asterisks?"

Mark Green on Doyle Scandals and Ethanol

My flight to Washington, D.C. had two passengers many of my readers will be familiar with. Scott Jensen, who's trying to stay out of jail, was on my flight as well as Rep. Mark Green who is running for governor. I didn't get a chance to speak with Jensen, but I did get to ask Rep. Green a couple questions while walking through the airport.

On the Rich Judge remaining on Gov. Jim Doyle's campaign staff while admitting to have broken the law by campaigning as a staff member in the legislature Green said, "It's obviously a judgment Gov. Doyle has to make. We all have to be accountable for our actions." He continued, "We have a stain on state government right now." Green wants to talk about issues. Instead, he's having to listen to people's concern about corruption in state government. "Everywhere I go people express their anxiety" about Doyle's scandals.

I then wanted him to clarify if he supported mandating ethanol in gasoline. Green said, "I wouldn't support any ethanol requirement if it adds to the regulatory burden on business." The reason he's sympathetic to ethanol is he thinks petroleum has a monopoly. "98% of all the gasoline in America is totally petroleum-based. There is no choice right now.... I want to see people have real choices." His idea of what monopoly is is far from conventional thinking. When econonmists think of monopolies they mean a sole producer of a good or service. In the early 20th Century many feared John Rockefeller building a monopoly through his Standard Oil. Today, there are multiple companies selling gas. There may be collusion but there's no monopoly. Also, no one is stopping gas stations from selling ethanol-blended gas. With the bad experiences Southeast Wisconsin has had with reformulated gas the only way consumers in the rest of the state will buy the inferior fuel is to be forced by the government. Rep. Green is wrong. There is choice, and the choice being made is not to buy ethanol.

Another odd element to Green's answer was he doesn't want to add further "regulatory burden on business." Any kind of government mandate would do so. So conceivably any ethanol bill that came before him as governor would be vetoed. This sounds like Green's way of supporting the ethanol industry while trying to improve Wisconsin's business climate.

I'll make the recording of my brief interview with Rep. Green available as the next episode of my podcast Speak later tonight. For now, it's time to do a little sightseeing.

Charlie's Show Prep #42

Call this the "I'm on my way to Washington, D.C." edition:

• Bush bashers "Wellstoned" Coretta Scott King's funeral. President Carter took a shot at President Bush by mentioning how the government wiretapped the Kings. Rev. Joseph Lowery said, "We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there." He received a standing ovation for that jab. All the while President Bush sat a few feet away and took it. President Clinton took the narcissistic route and made his speech all about him and Hillary. What does the Left end of the blogosphere do: they cheer. Here's video of Carter and Lowery.

• There will much talk at CPAC about immigration. To add to the discussion studies have found immigrants create good job growth in cities.

• If I weren't in D.C. this Saturday I'd be at Lambeau Field watching a hockey game.

• Pepsi will soon come out with a Ben & Jerry's drink. If it tastes as good and their oatmeal cookie ice cream they'll have a winner with me.

Charlie's Show Prep #41

• In his State of the County address [PDF] Scott Walker showed that despite the fiscal obstacles dropped into his lap by Tom Ament's corrupt pension deals he's holding the line on property taxes. Now, he has go navigate the county through mounting retiree benefit costs. This will be very difficult and could involve state legislation. If actual executive experience mattered in the GOP race to challenge Gov. Doyle Walker would have an edge over Rep. Mark Green.

• Wisconsin had the distinction of leading the nation in Iraq War referendums. Racine might join the loony Lefty party. These votes are pointless. Local government has no ability to affect the Iraq War in any way. They're a waste of time, emotions, and in the case of Watertown legal fees.

• Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco whined about President Bush not talking about New Orleans enough in last week's State of the Union. But no "thank you's" for the $8 billion in federal money for housing.

• In a case of eminent domain abuse Philadelphia tried to take away a woman's home so two Catholic orders could build a school. An appeals court put the nix on that.

• Justice Souter is safe from being evicted by the eminent domain ruling he voted for last year.

• Winter Olympic athletes who test positive for drugs will not only face punishment from international sports bodies but could face Italian prosecution.

• Brazil's government will hand out 25 million free condoms during Carnival. "It's that time of year when we boost distribution because of the increase in demand," an official from the Health Ministry's anti-AIDS program said. That's an understatement.

Charlie's Show Prep #40

• Can the President order a terrorist killed on U.S. soil? In particular circumstances I should think so. I watch too much 24 so I can imagine wild scenes that probably have no baring with reality. Then again the only people who thought about flying airplanes into buildings were thriller writers and al-Qaeda. In certain circumstances police are allowed to shoot people. Logically it's reasonable to extend that ability onto the President.

• For some the World Can't Wait...to kill President Bush. Those few demonstrated in Washington, D.C.

• George W. Bush = Richard Nixon. That's what MoveOn.org wants you to think. [via AdJab]

• Every once in a while Tim Cuprisin gets it right: this year's Super Bowl ads were boring. The only one I really liked was office workers destroying their office in search of Bud Lights. Anheuser-Busch also won with a hot chick getting tackled in the Michelob Ultra Amber ad. (Ladies, don't feel bad, the babe got her revenge.) There's still no way in hell I'm ever drinking a low-carb beer. Burger King should be beaten over the head with the awful, horrible, dumb, incomprehensible, unsexy "Whopperettes" ad.

• That yelling you hear in that Riverwest bar is just some guy who lost in the Madden Mondays league.

Charlie's Show Prep #39

• Sheikh Yussef al-Qaradawi called for an "international day of anger" today to protest Muhammad cartoons.

• Patrick Fitzgerald hasn't refuses to devulge if he'll accuse Scooter Libby or any White House official of outing Valarie Plame as a CIA agent. He's just focusing on proving Libby lied to investigators and a grand jury. This has turned into the Martha Stewart trial where Libby will be accused of lying about crimes the prosecution can't prove.

• Intelligence agency leaders want the sources of sensational intel leaks to be found and prosecuted.

• Tim Cuprisin actually defends the over-coverage of Bob Woodruff's and Doug Vogt's war injuries:
  

  There's a simple reason behind the disparity: The anchor of a network newscast is known to millions of people who tune in nightly - in ABC's case, about 9 million.

  An injured soldier or firefighter or police officer is known to family and friends and neighbors.

  ...

  The national news media usually needs more of a hook to tell a story, either a unique personal story or a big name to give a face to the faceless thousands.

  That's where Woodruff comes in. After all, such a high-profile wounding in a roadside bombing helps remind us of the thousands of Americans who have been wounded in Iraq.

  
  Yeah right. The media got all teary-eyed over Woodruff and Vogt because they care about the troops. Give me a break. If the MSM really cared they'd cover more of the positive things happening in Iraq instead of counting bodies. There's not lack of material. Here's a good place to start. The fact is the MSM is a narcissistic tribe who circles the wagon around their own.

• Someone stuffed a deer down a manhole.

• A naked man in Wittenberg, WI attacked two cars. The cars won, but with permanent scarring.

• Elle Macpherson was voted as Australia's hottest babe ever. Good choice.

• Epiphanny Prince scored 113 points in a high school game. Too bad she isn't going to play for the Badgers. They could use her.

Disgusting Death Threats

It's one thing to take your state representative to task to being a flip-flopper. It's another to scare his wife with death threats:

Democratic Rep. John Steinbrink said that his wife received two threatening calls to their home late Tuesday afternoon after he voted to sustain Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of the concealed carry bill.

Steinbrink said that the calls were frightening to his wife, Roberta, so he asked Pleasant Prairie police to keep an eye on his home.

"Key Lawmaker In Concealed Carry Vote Receives Death Threats" [via Boots & Sabers]

Welcome Back

Spotted Horse has raised its formerly dead head. [No, I don't think Chris is a Dead Head. He kills animals for sport. Dead Heads just kill their own brain cells. --ed]

Charlie's Show Prep #38

• Chuck Chvala goes to jail for campaigning with state resources and all the Milwaukee County prosecutor could calculate for restitution was $2044. Chvala ran the Democrats' entire state senate campaign, and we know 14 worked in his office. Brian Burke has to pay $75,000, and he wasn't as involved as the former State Senate Majority Leader. This smells.

• Washington County proves even a conservative area won't kill a tax. A county sales tax was created in 1999 for property tax relief. The county board loves the money so much they want to make it permanent.

• The Washington Post reports on how Justice Alito (damn, that sounds good) got confirmed. In a nutshell: "While Judiciary Committee Republicans and their staff worked closely with the White House and their conservative allies to prepare for the hearings, Democrats were unfocused and divided over their strategy." Thus the winning side has a smiling Alito on the Supreme Court while the losers wonder what Sen. Kennedy was thinking turning red on the Senate floor.

• Israeli troops clashed with Israeli youth in the dismantling of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land.

• Last week, Western Union stopped sending telegrams.

Charlie's Show Prep #37

• Clueless Cindy Sheehan does it again. She got a ticket into the House gallery for the SotU speech only to get arrested for demonstrating. Steven Taylor wonders, "She squandered a remarkable amount of free PR–and for what?"

• Alan Greenspan ended his 18-year reign over the Federal Reserve. We now enter the Ben Bernanke era.

• The tour manager who lit the pyrotechnics that set a Rhode Island nightclub on fire killing 100 people in 2003 agreed to a plea bargain.

• Last year, Democrats improve on their fundraising while Republicans faltered. Could the GOP have a disenchanted base? Still, the GOP has a significant financial edge.

• Forget Oscar nominations when we have the Razzies.

Assembly Fails to Override Concealed Carry Veto

In a remarkable example of flip-flopping Democratic Assemblymen Terry Van Akkeren of Sheboygan and John Steinbrink of Pleasant Prairie both backed Gov. Doyle's veto when they initially voted for the bill. I wonder what the two Faith No More fish got out of handing their votes and credibility to Doyle?

Owen @ Boots & Sabers live-blogged it. Kevin @ Lakeshore Laments hears someone will be filing papers to challenge Rep. Van Akkeren.

"Concealed Weapons Veto Override Falls Short"

Charlie's Show Prep #36

• Sen. Kennedy went crazy on the Senate floor in his failed attempt at a filibuster. His red, balloon face almost exploded. From hearing Teddy you'd think Judge Alito's goal was to subjugate women, minorities, and the disabled. If only Sen. Kennedy were as passionate on 07.18.1969 as he was yesterday.

• Good news for GOP Congressional races. Howard Dean blew through a ton of money and Democratic leaders are ticked there won't be much for fall's elections.

• Pot banging and an "Impeachment Forum" are two ways far-Leftists are countering President Bush's State of the Union speech.

Charlie's Show Prep #35

Charlie Sykes might not need any material. He could spend 3 1/2 hours letting callers rant and nash their teeth about Brett Favre. Here's some non-Packers material anyway:

• Cindy Sheehan will camp outside President Bush's ranch this April, and fellow wacko Hugo Chavez supports her and even told her to run for President.

• Senators Biden and Obama think the filibuster is an unwise political tactic. Still, they're going to try it anyway. With opponents like this it's no wonder the Republicans get more lazy and stupid.

• President Bush wants to push health saving accounts. I hope he does better with this than he did with Social Security.

• Tom Barrett and others are already lamenting the concealed carry bill. That's a good sign the State Assembly will override Gov. Doyle's veto.

Charlie's Show Prep #34

• SE Wisconsin residents want more regional cooperation but not higher taxes.

• Since Hamas won this week's Palestinian elections we should start learning who its leaders are. They might be the ones we and the Israelis will be killing if the group doesn't give up terrorism.

• Sens. Kerry and Kennedy will attempt to fillibuster Judge Alito's nomination. But they lost Old Man Byrd.

• A Virginia state representative (they call them "delegates") accidentally fired his gun in the state Capitol.

• California doesn't have the guts to outright ban tobacco use. Instead they're whittling way personal freedom by declaring tobacco smoke a "toxic air contaminant."

• And don't forget all the good stuff I put together about Oprah's beatdown of James Frey.

Questions for Russ

Over at the BBA I asked for questions to ask Sen. Russ Feingold at his Menominee Falls listening session tomorrow. I got five, all from one person. Thanks, tee bee. I think.

Charlie's Show Prep #33

• In 2002 a Justice Department lawyer told a Senate panel that "It may not be the case that the probable cause standard has caused any difficulties in our ability to seek the FISA warrants we require." Bush bashers see this statement as undermining the administration's arguments defending NSA domestic surveillance. If the President already has surveillance powers under Article II then arguing over FISA standards is moot.

• Some are tossing around the "impeachment" word. A wacked-out Lefty has already raised $52,000 to back pro-impeachment Democrats. All it does is put a smile on Karl Rove's face.

• Joel Stein's troop-bashing column wasn't his first attempt. Stephen Spruiell found a sarcastic "recruiting pamphlet" Stein wrote for The New Yorker.

• Rockwell Automation's stock is at a 52-week high. I wonder if any of it has to do with their 5-year plan to "remove all of it’s manufacturing operations out of Milwaukee." Improve the business climate to keep companies in Wisconsin.

• New Orlean's mayor Ray Nagin doesn't understand why people jumped on his "Chocolate City" remark. Well, what would be the reaction if Scott Walker called for a "Vanilla Milwaukee?"

Only the Law-Abiding Obey Gun Laws

This Mallard Fillmore strip should be on every State Assemblyman's desk before they vote to override Gov. Doyle's veto of the concealed carry bill.

Charlie's Show Prep #32

Tomorrow's show will probably be all "Adelman all the time." Still, here are some other stories that should be mentioned on this morning's show:

• Mexican military vehicles helping smuggle marijuana into the U.S. were confronted by lesser-armed border patrol and FBI agents. [via Michelle Malkin]

• A parole officer who spent so much of his day look at online porn that he was getting 10 hours of overtime a week got his job back along with back pay. Wisconsin's taxpayers thank A. Henry Hempe for his "wisdom."

• Oshkosh Truck is testing a driverless military truck based on Terramax which completed the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge.

• Donald Trump is suing the author of an unauthorized biography for $5 billion. In TrumpNation Timothy O'Brien claims Trump is only worth $150-250 million.

• From the gross file: adult diapers are flying off the shelves in China. Many will be traveling on trains for Chinese New Year and they'll be enduring rides on crowded trains with not enough bathrooms.

Disappointed

It's obvious I have no pull in the Badger Blogosphere. I urged some creative, talented type to pump out a photoshop job inspired by Charlie Sykes' new nickname. I've seen zilch, zip, zero. You've let me down. If you're having trouble I found a weblog post to help you out.

"Freakish Zombie in 11 Steps!" [via digg]

Charlie's Show Prep #31

• President Bush lets loose a full-court defense of NSA surveillance.

• From Ambassador John Bolton we hear that President Bush believes a "nuclear Iran is not acceptable." I can't see anything but airstrikes on Iran while 140,000 troops are in Iraq. The options I see don't look good.

• Should Iran be attacked Iraq's Moqtada Sadr vowed to come to her defense.

Mark Reardon Axed

Mark Reardon getting fired because of "budget adjustments" bums me out. His show kept AM radio entertaining for me at night when other station's signals fade into the background radiation. (I'm staring at you WISN.) He is to the right, but not as much as Charlie Sykes or Mark Belling. He tossed in a lot of pop culture which was refreshing. Now, I'm stuck with more Clark Howard, the dweebiest man on radio. He dishes out plenty of good information, but the man's a nerd.

Sadly, WTMJ's website "airbrushed" Reardon from its web site. His name is gone from talk roster, but a page still exists that simply reads:

Newsradio 620 WTMJ regrets to announce that Mark Reardon has left the station, as the result of 2006 station budget adjustments.

Mark has been a loyal, hard-working employee and we sincerely thank him for his years of service to WTMJ and its listeners.

WTMJ wishes him the very best as his career goes forward.

I have a suggestion for Mark: podcasting. He'd be good at it, and he'd have a lot more freedom.

Kevin @ Lakeshore Laments is also disappointed while Owen @ Boots & Sabers thinks there's more to the story. Don't expect Tim Cuprisin to get you the answers. He doesn't like "squawk radio."

BRAINS!!!!

Oh captain, my captain! Lead me!

UPDATE: Sorry, Charlie. I'm no photoshopper. The was was just something I found on the net. I hope someone with the skills could do something. I just provided the inspiration.

Charlie's Show Prep #30

• Thousands of pro-life supporters advance on Washington, D.C. for this year's March for Life.

• Family Care, Milwaukee County's care program for low-income elderly, is already $1.8 million short on revenue. This is due to a clash with the state on funding. Expect critics to use this, along with the Parks Department's budget problems to attack Scott Walker for being incompetent and undeserving of being Wisconsin's next governor.

• Kobe Bryant scored 81 points...in one game! It's the second-most in NBA history only behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100 in 1962. Unlike Chamberlain's feat Bryant has video of his achievement. Michael Jordan's best-scoring game was 69 in 1990. With his performance Bryant has launched himself into NBA legendary status and he's only 27.

• Newsweek tries to scare its readers with a story on the Pentagon's "Other Big Brother." Power Line's John Hinderaker notes, "All that has happened is that someone wrote a report about the demonstration." The writer of the story is none other than Michael Isikoff infamous for his false Koran desecration story.

• Kohl's innovates by tailoring individual stores' inventory to the size of its customers.

• The future of the internet is at hand: some telecoms want to double dip by charging websites like Google for access to their networks as well as charge customers (i.e. you and me) for net access. Let individuals decide how they want to use the internet. It's been working well for this long.

UPDATE: I found one more good one. People are revolting over tech school's taxation without representation. Jessica McBride should take some credit for pushing this issue. Also on the Family Care story Scott Walker sent McBride an e-mail disputing the newspaper's assertions.

Grand Jury Investigates Doyle

With his low poll numbers Gov. Jim Doyle will have a hard enough time fighting off either Scott Walker or Mark Green this fall. The last thing he wants to deal with in an election year is a grand jury investigation:

Authorities have convened a federal grand jury to review whether campaign donations to Gov. Jim Doyle played a role in the state awarding a $750,000 contract to Adelman Travel.

As part of the same investigation, officials are looking into political contributions made around the time the state approved the sale of a nuclear power plant, a source familiar with the inquiries said Saturday.

Doyle aide Dan Leistikow said the Democratic governor had not been called before the grand jury.

"The governor has not spoken to any investigators," he said. "We have no idea whether there's a grand jury or not. As the governor has said many times, he's more than happy to talk to anyone who's reviewing this because everything he's aware of, this (Adelman Travel) contract was awarded to a Wisconsin company that was the lowest bidder. That's all he knows about it."

"Grand Jury Examines Contract"

Plea Agreement in Tire Slashing Case

Milwaukee District Attorney E. Michael McCann's office is known as a plea bargain machine. Conservatives were pleasantly surprised when his office took the Milwaukee 5 to trial. Prosecutors went through eight days of testimony and arguments and put it in the jury's hands. Until a few hours ago it seemed like we would have a verdict, but that wasn't the case. Prosecutors gave up at the first sign of a deadlocked jury and cut-and-run by handing out plea bargains:

In an unexpected twist in the Election Day tire slashing trial, four former Kerry-Edwards campaign staffers, including the sons of U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) and former Acting Mayor Marvin Pratt, have agreed to plead no contest to misdemeanors. Prosecutors will recommend probation sentences as part of the deal.

The plea agreements came in the middle of jury deliberations after an eight-day trial on felony property damage charges that carried potential 3 1/2 year prison terms upon conviction.

The surprise resolution was offered by prosecutors at 2 p.m., nearly 7 hours into deliberations and an hour after a jury note complained of an impasse.

Defendant Justin Howell was the only one of the five charged not included in the deal. The no contest pleas have not been formally made yet, but when they are, jurors will be left to deliberate the felony charge against Howell.

[via Brian Fraley]

UPDATE: The blogswarm has begun:

• Peter DiGaudio:
  

  Simply amazing. I for one am not surprised at all. Some of the jurors no doubt believed the rant that the Republicans were so evil that whatever means used to steal the election justified the means. Some were just unable to connect the dots. The anti-Bush hatred on the Left coupled with the desire for Democrats to regain power has created this atmosphere, and some of these idiots actually got on the jury.

  What happened? In all likelihood the ones that hung the jury are people who loved and admire Gwen Moore and Marvin Pratt and hate George W. Bush so much that they could never send Moore's and Pratt's criminal sons to jail — which is where they belong. People like this will never hold their people accountable for anything they do.

• Kevin @ Lakeshore Laments: "Guess it was the local Democrats after all."

UPDATE II (There could be a lot of these since I'm posting them as fast as I can find them):

• Rick Esenberg:
  

  Speaking as a guy who has practiced law for almost 25 years, I can't imagine any self-respecting lawyer doing this. If you wanted to let these guys cop to a misdemeanor and walk away, I am sure that deal could have been made without going to the time and expense of a trial. To do it because you get a note that the jury thinks its deadlocked after six hours is silly. Judge Brennan was absolutely correct in observing that six hours is not a long time to deliberate after a seven day trial and undeniably right in telling them to continue. It really is hard to avoid at least the suspicion that the DA's office saw this as an opportunity to bail on what it saw as a no-win situation. I don't see how it is a reasonable compromise by a prosecutor who wants a conviction. Why, after devoting just about all the resources that you are going to have to devote, would you, essentially, let the defendants go at the first small sign that you might not win?

• Charlie Sykes wonders if "the lack of a guilty plea also mean[s] that the defendants and Milwaukee's own congresswoman will continue to insist that they are innocent?" Short answer: YES!
  

UPDATE III:

• The Wisconsin GOP responds to this injustice:
  

  The Republican Party of Wisconsin is disappointed that the penalty for the tire slashing incident is a misdemeanor rather than a felony, with no jail time being recommended. We urge Judge Brennan to disregard the District Attorney's recommendation for probation and in turn call for him to invoke a sentence of jail time. This case shows that Democrats will stop at nothing to undermine efforts by Republicans to get-out-the-vote on Election Day and has shed light on the extent they are willing to go for their own political gain. We feel as though the penalty set forth by the District Attorney for the Democrats' attempt to undermine the election process certainly does not fit the crime. In that regard, we are ready now more than ever to move forward with Election Day reform measures at the federal and state level so that integrity may be restored to the system.

• Owen @ Boots & Sabers:
  

  Like most people, I didn’t think that a conviction was possible with a Milwaukee jury. I figured that a hung jury would be most likely. So, perhaps, this is the best outcome to be expected.

  
  

UPDATE IV:

• WisPolitics Courtwatch Blog reports Justin Howell, the only member of the Milwaukee 5 who didn't plead no contest, was found not guilty by the jury. [via Lakeshore Laments]

• James Joyner was gracious enough to publicize the story and push it out to a national audience.
  

UPDATE V:

• Jessica McBride puts this McCann's latest example of a lack of prosecutorial gumption in context:
  

  But the frustrating thing is that McCann's office has been notoriously ineffective in prosecuting election violations overall, and the vast majority of the allegations in Wisconsin have been lodged in his jurisdiction. The Gary George forged nomination papers. The smokes-for-votes scandal. The 300+ felons who voted illegally in the 2000 presidential election. Humphrey Pushcart. On and on.

  In an extremely open election system like ours (same-day registration and no photo ID requirement), it's important to have aggressive, tough prosecution of election-law violations so that there's SOME deterrent against people doing it. In that light, I almost would have preferred to see McCann's office finally up the ante and bet the house. After all, the deals were struck after only six hours of deliberations in a trial that lasted almost seven days.

  
  

UPDATE VI (Final one for this post and probably the night):

• James Wigderson:
  

  Another good day for the Milwaukee District Attorney's office: nobody sent to jail. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's office, deciding they didn't want to risk a mistrial and starting all over again, instead decided to settle. Maybe they had an early tee time tomorrow.

• Wade Lindberg @ Not quite off the deep end:
  

  When we respond ineffectively to terrorism, it encourages more through our apparent weakness. What do we think will happen in the next election? ..And I don't mean sugar in the fuel tank.

  
  

Waiting for the Verdict

The jury deliberates on the fate of the Milwaukee 5. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported this morning they might be close to a verdict:

In a possible sign one or more guilty verdicts could be coming this morning, the jury in the Election Day 2004 tire-slashing case sent a note to Circuit Judge Michael Brennan asking whether, when filling out their verdict forms for each of the five defendants, anything should be written in to indicate which of three possible theories of party to a crime a person was being found guilty under.

For some reading to pass the time Patrick at Badger Blogger links to the Chicago Tribune's take on the tire slashing story.

"Election Day Sabotage Trial Pits Democrat Against Democrat"

Charlie's Show Prep #29

• We're into Day 2 of jury deliberations for the Milwaukee 5. Now, what did Congressman Gwen Moore mean when she referred to "the civic death penalty" if her son was convicted? If Sowande Omokunde is convicted expect a classic Moore wail

• Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner and Paul Ryan are both in the mix to make John Shadegg the next House Majority Leader. I'm really interested in who Rep. Mark Green will support.

• Google doesn't want to turn over aggregate search data on how easy pornography is to find on the internet.

• The Massachusetts Department of Social Services has legal permission to unhook Haleigh Poutre from life-support machines. However, they won't do that because she might be improving. A spokesman said, "''The vegetative state may not be a total vegetative state." A vegetative state doesn't equal brain death. Jason Strickland, the thug accused of beating Haleigh, is one lucky monster. He's avoiding a murder charge as long as Haleigh is alive. This story now has legs. Right-to-die and pro-life advocates will start getting involved.

Double Dipper

State Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer will run for re-election and Manitowoc County Executive. He's also vowed to answer his own phones and never ask a staff person to pick up his dry cleaning. His next trick will be to break the laws of physics by being in two places at the same time.

Seriously, it will be impressive if he can pull this off. From what I know about him he's politically strong, but this does provide an opening for his opponent(s).

"Drat, I Was Supposed to Leak This"

Getting Goosed

Don't tick off Mother Nature:

A goose was to blame for a power outage Wednesday in the Menomonee Valley.

The goose flew into a We Energies power line.

It knocked out power to about 500 customers and zapped street and traffic lights late Wednesday afternoon.

The goose hit the gear at Fifth Street and Muskego.

Power was restored within a few hours.

"Goose Knocks Out Power To Menomonee Valley"

Charlie's Show Prep #28

• The Common Council approved blanketing Milwaukee with wifi. Finally, a deal for the city that will help the economy and not cost taxpayers a dime.

• From a weblogger conference call Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) showed his hand:
  

  Senator Reid shared with us that just that day an unnamed Democratic Senator had come to him with a proposal on "ethics reform" ala Abramoff that could be bi-partisan. Reid told this person that this was the wrong time to be engaged in construtive "reform" proposals with the other side. He said that this was the time to draw a line and to show how "our side" differed dramatically from "their side."

  
  Positioning in an election year is expected. I have no qualms with that. I just question resting on winning on Abramoff. I already have Abramoff fatigue, and I'm a political junkie.

• In Rep. Scott Jensen's trial the prosecution might call Assembly Speaker John Gard as a witness. I'm sure that will great for his Congressional campaign.

• Leif Garrett was charged with heroin possession. A washed-up teen star still can't get his act together. Ironically, more people know him as a has-been than as a star. He can thank VH-1 for that.

• Sex comes to online gaming. "Naughty America will allow users to perform sexual activities and even film them, as well as customise their appearance and decorate their house."

Charlie's Show Prep #27

• Take it for what it's worth but Insight hears rumors out of the White House that Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is a shoo-in for the Presidency in 2008.

• Google is buying a radio ad company. They've changed internet search and now are changing advertising in general. It will become more automated, more targeted, and more democratic. Imagine any business anywhere going to Google's website and choosing exactly what demographics they want targeted and how much they want to spend.

• Rep. Scott Jensen has a who's who of Wisconsin politicos on the witness list for his trial. Tommy Thompson, State Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, and former State Assembly Speaker Tom Loftus are just a few.

• Larry Kudlow backs Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) for new House Majority Leader. He thinks Shadegg would be able to curtail spending increases that would allow tax cut extentions to pass.

• Mike Sherman will interview for the Buffalo head coach opening.

Doyle on His Big Night

Jennifer McBride is live-blogging Gov. Doyle's State of the State speech. I normally don't bother with these but she had a hilarious line right away:

WONDER HOW MANY OF THESE SOLDIERS ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR HIM?

HEY MY 8 MONTH OLD BABY JUST MUTED THE TV. I KNOW I CAN'T STAND TO LISTEN TO IT EITHER.

Charlie's Show Prep #26

Sorry, Charlie. I got so psyched on 24 Sunday night I passed on helping you out. Two more hours of television's second-best show (still trailing Battlestar Galactica) pushed me until the wee hours of this morning to find some great material for your show.

• Two Congressmen briefed webloggers on progress in Iraq. They found Iraqis taking more responsiblity in their country's security. U.S. troops don't bother watching U.S. media. Flip at Suitably Flip wrote, "Rep. Chris Chocola (R-IN) noted that their perspective was shy of a sense of disgust, but definitely a 'sense of dismissal'." Both Rep. Chocola and Rep. Gresham Barrett (R-SC) noticed civilian Iraqis helping coalition forces with tips on the enemy's location. With greater Iraqi security participation that's probably led to them feeling more comfortable helping the coalition.

• AlGore went off on President Bush...again! Is it really news since he never has a kind word to say about his 2000 opponent? Still, AlGore went over-the-top in comparing NSA spying on terrorists and wiretapping of Martin Luther King, Jr., unless Gore thinks MLK was a terrorist. He continued on his paranoid thread by claiming we are at "the brink of a dangerous breach in the fabric of the Constitution."

• The ACLU is suing the NSA. Bluto from The Jawa Report writes, "The arrogance of the ACLU/MSM lawsuit is breathtaking; that Americans should be put at risk because a few paranoid elitists believe without any evidence that some of their calls may have been monitored."

• Milwaukee County's pension problem is a national concern. Completely isolated from market forces government workers' pensions have become more generous (at taxpayers' expense) while companies are moving away from them.

Feingold Courting the Pinkos

Last Sunday, Wisconsin's very own Sen. Russ Feingold went to Vermont to endorse Rep. Bernie Sanders' bid for the U.S. Senate. You wouldn't know this if you rely on the Journal Sentinel as your only news source. (Craig Gilbert, you dropped the ball on this one.) The "independent" Sanders is an vowed socialist. Such a maverick that Russ. He backs a guy who wants to socialize American health care (we'll get stuck with long waiting lists like Canada), pass job-reducing regulations like boosting the minimum wage, and close American markets to international trade. With the way Feingold was praising Sanders you'd think they were identical except for height, age, and accent. Feingold=Sanders=socialists.

Feingold didn't stop at endorsing Sanders. He praised Howard Dean as DNC chairman. He actually said there was a possiblity of impeaching President Bush over NSA spying. "I will not take anything off the table," he told the Vermont audience. By standing side-by-side with Sanders Feingold courts the MoveOn.org radicals that make Bill Clinton's fans look like free-market hawks. Only if the far Left has taken over the Democratic Party Feingold stand a chance at the Presidency.

"Feingold Makes Pitch for Sanders During Vermont Visit"

[Added to Wizbang's Carnival of the Trackbacks]

Only One Year Ago

Kevin at Lakeshore Laments reminds me that on this day last year Charlie Sykes took local webloggers seriously enough to invite them onto his radio show. Kevin also reminds us the Big Guy in the Sky gave us a big break with the Milwaukee election fraud story. That perfect positive storm launched Wisconsin's conservative blogosphere. 2006 is an election year. That will elevate readers' craving for lightning-fast political news and commentary. My fellow BBA members and myself have a great opportunity to deliver that. I noted last year, "This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship." So far so good.

"Happy Anniversary" [via Badger Blogger]

Charlie's Show Prep #25

Should I celebrate not getting bored after 24 previous helping hands to Charlie Sykes? Sure. Let's dance.

• Sen. Joe Biden is right. Ditch the Supreme Court nomination show trials. Senators' "questions" sucked up much more time than Judge Alito's answers.

• Midwest Fiber and the City of Milwaukee agreed on blanketing the city in wifi. It still has to go through the Common Council and get Mayor Barrett's signature. This progress might let Milwaukee beat tech-savvy San Francisco as "the nation’s first major city to go wireless."

• In the Milwaukee 5 trial we have the sudden appearance of mud in witness' testimony. Jenna at Right off the Shore connects Abu Ghraib to the Milwaukee 5. Something that's bugging me is the Journal Sentinel referring to all these political workers as "consultants."

• Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder is buying radio stations to control the delivery of news about his team. We're seeing the future. There will come a time when the Packers buy a radio or television station. WTMJ?

• Some in the Catholic Church want to clear Judas' name.

• Modern science gives us green pigs.

Charlie's Show Prep #24

• I have no problem with hardball politics, but going so far as to make Judge Alito's wife sob in the hearing room crosses the line. I'm relying on reports of the yesterday's hearing, so bear with me if I know few details. The Democrats went nuts over Alito's past membership in Concerned Alumni of Princeton instead of looking at his decisions as a judge. When they did talk about legal issues they wanted to pin him down on abortion. History has shown no nominee answers that question. The look on Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) shows her frustration with her party's overreach.

• Jonah Goldberg points out the problem with nomination hearings being turned into show trials is we've handed courts too much power.

• The Ohio Supreme Court heard the first important eminent domain case since the awful Kelo decision last year. [via Michelle Malkin]

• Farris Hassan speaks about his Christmas trip to Baghdad.

Magazines: Too White

Eugene Kane wonders about too-white magazines:

It makes you wonder how places like GQ, Esquire, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Conde Naste Traveler and Fitness Magazine can truly report on the multi-cultural population of America without minority writers or staff assistants.

"Why Are So Many Mainstream Magazines Lily-White?" [via Ask Me Later]

Out-of-State Thugs Slashed Tires

Two defense lawyers for the Milwaukee 5 claim out-of-state Democratic operatives slashed the tires of GOP vans on Election Day 2004. With that they tar the Democratic Party. Craig Mastantuono called them "the out-of-towners, the industry people." Sowande Omokunde's attorney Robin Shellow said the non-local thugs "aren't just card-carrying staffers," Shellow said of the outside consultants. " . . . They believe the fight is for legitimate democracy, and they're passionate." Michael Pratt's lawyer Rodney Cubbie practically accused Opel Simmons by saying, "Until Opel Simmons and his team hit Wisconsin, nothing like this had ever happened." Simmons is an important prosecution witness who will say they heard the defendants brag about the tire slashing.

This is quite the indictment of the Democratic Party. Either local thugs engaged in property-destroying voter suppression or out-of-state thugs did. Either way it means a few Democrats decided the 2000 election was so completely abhorrent and illegitimate that they decided tire slashing was an acceptable action. That's the slippery slope down an "ends justifies the means" philosophy. What's bad is the national Democratic Party never denounced the attack. The closest I found was a mention by spokesman Seth Boffeli blasting "supporters on both sides." Hmm. As if leaving a hateful voicemail or stealing some lawn signs is equal to trying to stop get out the vote efforts.

About Congressman Moore, Owen writes, "Her silence seems like tacit approval of the Republican voter suppression that took place in her district." Patrick at Badger Blogger recorded the paranoia of one of the Milwaukee 5's mothers. He also has a poll running of what you think the outcome will be.

"Outside Operatives Blamed in Tire Case"

Charlie's Show Prep #23

• A Washington Post-ABC News poll finds two-thirds of the public thinks "it is more important to investigate possible terrorist threats than to protect civil liberties." Republicans support the President while Democrats don't. No surprise.

• CBS News' Public Eye weblog argues good news is hard to get out of Iraq because it's a dangerous place. The abduction of Christian Science Monitor stringer Jill Carroll demonstrates that.

• No bombshells in the Alito hearings. Democrats questioned the nominee about the extent of executive power and abortion. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) tossed Alito the softball of the day by asking, "Let me just ask you directly, on the record, are you against women and minorities attending colleges?" It isn't stopping the Left from trying to get some anti-Alito momentum going. In a press release Wisconsin Right to Life [PDF] points out even with a pro-life Alito (not a guarantee) on the bench only four justices would be known to oppose Roe v. Wade.

• The National Liquor Bar sign is certainly more art than advertising.

• What will Howard Stern become now that there's not limit to what he can say on satellite radio? Will he remain funny--if that's how you like your humor?

Charlie's Show Prep #22

TAM survived Charlie's blogroll remodeling. I hope my assistance with show prep is part of the reason. Here's some stories for today's show:

• Picking on Eugene Kane continues. Where did he get the idea people were equating the Milwaukee tire slashers with the Jim Crow South? [Which member of the BBA is Bull Conner?] Can you say, "strawman?"

• The Dow went over 11,000. Don't expect President Bush to get any credit from Democrats or the MSM.

• Doctors say cough syrup doesn't work. It may not but some of them can give you a good buzz.

• Finally, should we care that James Frey fooled millions of readers and Oprah by faking his memoirs?

Begging Works

All praise Subject to Change. The clown prince of the Badger Blogosphere wiggled his way onto Charlie Sykes' (no, I will not call him the "Blogfather") blogroll.

The Journal Sentinel's Coward

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel columnist Eugene Kane is a coward. I said that on Charlie Sykes' show today, and I write it here on this weblog. Kane is a coward for bashing a "newly popular right-wing blogger" without having the guts to mention Jessica McBride's name or her weblog (but self-promoted his own weblog). He saved that mention for his weblog. In his article Kane then accused McBride of "changing her spots" by embracing conservative alternative media when she supposedly used to bash it. He goes farther in his weblog post writing, "today's Jessica McBride is decidely different in political attitudes than the woman I used to talk to regularly in the Journal Sentinel newsroom." No evidence, unlike the e-mail demonstrating Kane's callousness. McBride denies Kane's charge and asks for a retraction from the paper.

Kane has demonstrated he's a cynical man. Being quick-thinking he took advantage of all the talk about him in the Badger blogosphere and used his column to promote his weblog. He gave us the bait, and we took it. Racebaiting and thin-skinned Kane is, but he isn't stupid.

"Blogging Gives Everyone a Voice"

Charlie's Show Prep #21

Here are some stories to help out Charlie Sykes just in case he's a little slow Monday morning:

• The Election Day tire slashers will finally get their trial. I predict Sowande Omokunde's mom Rep. Gwen Moore will cry on the witness stand. She hasn't yet on the floor of the House of Representatives. Her tear ducts are bursting at the seams.

• The U.S. is accused of force-feeding Gitmo prisoners on hunger strikes. The U.S. can't win with anti-Americans: they'll be blamed for keeping the hunger strikers alive, but they'll also be blamed for creating the conditions that "forced" the detained Islamist killers to strike in the first place.

• A veteran/weblogger questions a member of Congress about Iraq.

• Harry Belafonte called President Bush "the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world" while visiting Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez. Danny Glover joined Belafonte in this bit of radical chic. Last July, the NAACP rewarded Belefonte for his hate speech.

• Should the Packers draft Vince Young? How about Wisconsin's Brian Calhoun, a poor man's Reggie Bush?

Raising Kane

There's buzz about Eugene Kane, the Journal Sentinel's resident race-baiter. Most of it is from his callous exchange involving Jessica McBride. Ask Me Later has instituted the "Kane Watch." How's this for a blast from the past. Back in 2004, Kane sent an e-mail to a reader that partially read:

I live for the day when a bunch of white kids get killed in an accident and the first question from readers is "where were the parents?"

[via Charlie Sykes]

Carnival of the Badger

Nick Schweitzer offers up a cold medicine-influenced Carnival of the Badger.

Spiceblog Looks Down on Webloggers

Realdebate at the BBA noticed the fine print at Spiceblog. This is at the top of Spivak & Bice's weblog (emphasis mine):

Journal Sentinel columnists Cary Spivak and Dan Bice trudge through the scores of local political blogs so you don’t have to. Here’s a peek at the good, the not-so-good, the truly offensive or the just sort of interesting.

One final point,we kind of like people to come around and read our blogs! So can you drop the "so you don't have to" line? ;)

Charlie's Show Prep #20

Here's my helping hand to Charlie Sykes' show:

• Olympic events in Milwaukee? Why not? Soccer games in Miller Park. Basketball games in the Bradley Center. Hotels filled all the way to Green Bay and Madison. It's good that Mayor Tom Barrett is jumping at Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's idea of a regional summer games for 2016.

• Ariel Sharon's health means a lot of questions about what will happen in the near future in the Middle East.

• Democratic Senators are decided if they should delay the Judge Samuel Alito hearings by a week. If they do it will be only the second time in history that was done. Alito is still expected to be confirmed. However, the Democrats wonder how irritating/obnoxious they should be.

• After a victorious Rose Bowl, Texas' Vince Young is getting a lot of attention from NFL scouts. He's big, and he can run--just ask USC and Michigan. I'm not so sure about his arm, but Favre doesn't always make conventional throws. No one runs the option in the NFL because quarterbacks would get killed by Week 8. What most impressed me about Young was how calm he was in the winning drive. Even after reaching the end zone he stood there like he did it before. Great poise. I wouldn't mind him in a green and gold jersey. All this talk about Young requires the junior to skip his senior season. That would be the smart thing to do, but I think Young really, really wants the Heisman Trophy.

Charlie's Show Prep #19

Ok, I know for sure Charlie will be on-air today. What I'm not sure about is if he'll take advantage of the fine show prep I'm doing for him.

• The big business lobbying group Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce issued a report about Department of Revenue abuses. It's bad enough living in a high-tax state. We don't need overzealous tax collectors.

• A former NSA officer wants to testify before Congress about illegal spying done by the NSA and DIA.

• Howard the Duck had gone quackers (again) by linking Judge Samuel Alito with the spying story.

• On the botched West Virginia mine story Amy Ridenour noticed the bigger, more elite media outlet you were the less likely you were to admit you made a mistake. An anonymous Journal Sentinel editor writes, "We're sorry the article in your newspaper was wrong." Ricardo Pimentel and the gang only want an investigation of "the communications fiasco that falsely raised the hopes of families wanting desperately to believe in miracles." They can't come out and say it was plain, shoddy journalism.

• Ariel Sharon's stroke means new Israeli leadership in a tenuous time. Iran rattles its chains while things heat up again with the Palestinians.

• Lynn Swann is running for Pennsylvania governor. After years of doing TV sports Swann is certainly telegenic. Are we getting to the point where one will need celebrity to win a major political office? Ahhnuuuld in California is showing that it doesn't turn out that well.

• AlGore spoke before Grover Norquist's Wednesday Group, the closest thing to a Vast Right Wing Conspiracy without really being one.

Spiceblog

It's good Spivak & Bice joined the blogosphere, but who thought up such an awful name? "Spiceblog?" Belle gives us a "horrendous photoshop job." One can't work miracles with such beauty-challenged subjects.

Peggy Noonan Comes to Ripon in February

Her writing is passionate, smart, and moving. Knowing Peggy Noonan was coming to Ripon College next month forced me to quickly try to reserve a space.

"Big Names Coming to Wisconsin"

Charlie's Show Prep #18

If Charlie wanted to he could go all Packers for 3 1/2 hours. He won't run out of callers wanting to either gloat about how it's great Mike Sherman got the axe or how Ted Thompson made the mistake that drove Brett Favre into retirement. And people will want to suggest who the next head coach should be. (My choice is defensive coach Jim Bates.) Just in case he wants some non-Packers material I'll give Charlie a hand:

• Give the Wisconsin Badgers plenty of love for their big bowl upset over Auburn. What a great way to end Barry Alvarez's career as head coach.

• Mayor Tom Barrett is doing something productive by having voter registration lists purged of outdated names and addresses. This would have happened sooner but the state can't get its act together.

• Lofts for college students? A developer is building expensive apartments with a fitness center, a coffee bar, and high speed internet. Those with means can continue to spoil their children all through college. This has "coastie" written all over it.

• Saddam Hussein would rather be shot than hung. Too bad no one popped him in his spider hole.

Mob Beating was Crack Deal Gone Bad

So we were lied to the past few days. Monday night's brutal beating of Samuel McClain shocked Milwaukee. Many wondered what was happening to parts of the city. Was she being taken over by barbarians? We now know McClain, father of 12, tried to get crack cocaine then claimed he was being ripped off. Then the beating took place. The victim is hardly innocent. Still, no one deserves the punishment McClain took. Those thugs who kicked and stomped on his head should be locked away for a very long time.

This shows the harm drugs can do to a community. Or does it? Maybe drugs being illegal is the problem If cocaine were legalized gangs wouldn't be selling it on the street. You'd go to your local convenience store or bar to get your fix. Legal cocaine might have prevented the invention of crack. We know for sure its illicit status keeps it in the realm of nasty, brutal people.

I'm not totally on the "legalize drugs" bandwagon, but I'm getting closer. It's like the decades-long approach to Fidel Castro's Cuba: the status quo isn't working. It's time to try something new. The first place we can start is by legalizing marijuana and give it the same status as alcohol. If someone wants to used it to relieve pain, fine. If they just want to get high, that's fine too. The McClain beating demonstrates the need to get drugs off the black market.

"Quarrel Over Drug Deal Led to Beating" [via Badger Blogger]

State Senator Harassed by Hispanic Group

The Hispanic advocacy group Voces de la Frontera went beyond their free speech rights and harassed State Senator Cathy Stepp outside her home last night. Stepp described the obnoxious tactics:

On the evening of Friday, December 16th, a group of people advocating the issuing of drivers’ licenses to non-citizens appeared outside my windows yelling and attempting to intimidate me to vote against Assembly Bill 69. Law enforcement was notified and the group disbanded. This group justifies their actions by claiming they have not had their phone call returned when in reality all constituent calls are returned until callers become belligerent or profane.

"Advocacy Group Harasses Senator Stepp at HOME"

Suburpia

People are waiting 90 minutes for sub sandwiches at the newly opened Suburpia in Wauwatosa. Those must be damn good subs.

For my sub cravings I like Jimmy Johns. Their bread has a better crust and the meats have more flavor than Subway's (which aren't bad). Cousins used to have a great warm chicken breast sub. I haven't eaten there in a long time. So I don't know if they still have it. Where do you go for really good subs and sandwiches?

"Customers Come Back for a Sandwich They Remember"

Charlie's Show Prep #17

Here are some stories Charlie Sykes should talk about on today's show:

• President Bush admits he was wrong about Iraq intelligence. So were Germany, Russia, China, France, the U.N., and a former administration. The "I was wrong" strategy surely won't quell his critics who are beyond hope.

• President Bush gave the State Department the lead on rebuilding failed states. This doesn't solve the bureaucratic infighting since State will have to ask the Pentagon for the muscle (military police, counter-insurgency soldiers) in that mission. Plus, the Pentagon has now put "stability operations" on par with war waging. One, the other, or some new department has to be the sole destroyer and rebuilder of failed states. [I think I've completely drunk Tom Barnett's kool-aid.]

• The state investment board wants to pour $50 million into two venture capital firms for local companies.

• Quanta, a Taiwanese manufactuer, won the contract to make the $100 laptop. They're doing it for charity but also to be in position for a commercial version.
  

UPDATE: It would have been nice of Charlie to let me know he was done for the year. I'm done too. No show prep for Jeff Wagner. Not until he stops doing his John Moschitta impression everytime he gives out telephone numbers. ;-)

CotB Christmas Edition

RealDebateWisconsin put some effort into hosting the Carnival of the Badger. He wrote poetry, and it rhymes!

Charlie's Show Prep #16

Here's what Charlie Sykes should talk about on his show today:

• When it comes to the network news negative stories about Iraq are the name of the game.

• The Army met its recruiting goal for the first two months of their fiscal year. This despite the negative media coverage of Iraq. (See above.)

• The fire is out at Buncefield. Now, comes the job of figuring out what happened. A driver thinks he cause the explosion. The blame game as also begun.

• Iran's president again called the Holocaust a myth.

• Sheboygan better get moving with its spaceport plans. New Mexico has agreed to build billionaire Richard Branson a $225 million facility.

Charlie's Show Prep #15

My continuous saga of helping Charlie Sykes prepare for his show continues:

• Wisconsin ranks #9 is saving. Yet that pile of capital isn't being poured into new, growing businesses.

• A U.N. investigation is accusing Syria of interfering with an investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. It says something when France and the U.S. agree that Syria is not cooperating. Of course, why would they? They did it.

• Race riots in Sydney continued for a second night. As The Belmont Club's Wretchard put it, "Lebanese gangs have struck back."

• There was a mistrial in a Vioxx case in Houston. One juror sided against Merck. One reason being "plaintiffs attorneys 'have a hard time getting a fair trial' in Houston." Merck will have trouble being accused of withholding test data.

• With the Packers' win they dropped to #5 in next year's draft with three games to go. Anyone who thinks the team will be better off with Sam Gado over Reggie Bush hasn't watched any USC football this season.

• New York City is either in another world or some financial bubble is about to burst. $100,000 bar mitzvahs are not uncommon. Think ice sculptures, professionaly edited video entrances, even music superstars that perform.

Charlie's Show Prep #14

After he does his part of WTMJ's "extreme" Packers coverage (what was it before?) here is what Charlie Sykes should talk about on today's show:

• No surprise that the Journal Sentinel editoral board doesn't trust law-abiding citizens to have a concealed carry license. They think it's a shame that they would be "presumed to be worthy of carrying a concealed weapon, until they prove they are unworthy."

• Mention has to made of the race riots in Syndey. A full understanding of them includes knowing about "yobbo beach tribes, and the Lebanese gangsta tribes."

• The Buncefield fire in Hemel Hempstead still burns.

• The person who wrote in Wikipedia that John Seigenthaler, Sr. had something to do with Robert Kennedy's murder confessed to the former publisher. He says it was a joke."

• People in Cobb County, GA are arguing over a sticker on science books.

• Shop on Tuesday mornings to avoid the crowds. I can vouch for that. Monday and Tuesday mornings are when I could get a lot of non-customer service work done at the store.

Carnival of the Badger #17

Subject to Change hosted this week's Carnival of the Badger. Since I forgot to submit something Aaron punished me by raising this dreadful post from the dead.

Cut Off from the Rest of the World

Madison police claim they found two sisters who haven't left their house in 20 years:

Madison police found the sisters when they called an ambulance for their 90-year-old mother.

Officers said they found the 53- and 54-year-old women suffering from developmental disabilities in un-livable conditions.

Trash, rotted food, dirt and feces littered the floor.

They had no working waterheater or a working refrigerator.

Police learned the sisters used Social Security money to pay bills and have groceries delivered.

"Madison Police Find 2 Women Inside Home For 20 Years"

Spivak & Bice Read TAM